OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Holds Extraordinary Session to Address Israeli Aggression and Palestinian Rights

(Special Correspondent)

On Friday, March 7, 2025, the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in Jeddah for an Extraordinary Session in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and efforts to displace them from their land. The meeting, called at the request of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Iran, and Pakistan, reinforced the OIC’s commitment to the principles outlined in its Charter and addressed critical issues related to the Palestinian cause.

The meeting reaffirmed key resolutions adopted by the OIC concerning the Palestinian cause and the Holy City of Al-Quds Ash-Sharif. These resolutions were last addressed at the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh in November 2024, which condemned Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people.

The OIC members reiterated the need for a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and relevant international resolutions, particularly those from 2024 and 2016, which emphasize the illegality of Israeli occupation and settlements in the Palestinian territories. These include UN resolutions 2735, 2728, 2334, and the General Assembly’s resolution ES 10/24 from September 2024, affirming the illegality of Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

The session reinforced the centrality of the Palestinian cause for the Ummah (Islamic world) and expressed firm support for the Palestinian people’s pursuit of self-determination, independence, and sovereignty. This includes the establishment of the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967, with Al-Quds Ash-Sharif as its capital and the right of Palestinian refugees to return and receive compensation as outlined in UN Resolution 194.

A key resolution discussed was the commitment to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This vision is grounded in the full withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Gaza and the West Bank, and the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The OIC reaffirmed its endorsement of the Arab Peace Initiative and called for the full implementation of the principles of this initiative, which has been supported in successive Arab and Islamic summits since 2002.

The meeting emphasized the need for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement declared on January 15, 2025, under joint mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. This ceasefire is aimed at halting Israeli hostilities, enabling the return of displaced persons, and ensuring adequate humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. The OIC held Israel fully responsible for the failure to comply with its obligations under this agreement.

The OIC strongly condemned Israel’s policies of displacement, ethnic cleansing, and forced relocation of Palestinians, emphasizing that such actions constitute grave violations of international law and crimes against humanity. It also condemned the ongoing Israeli policies of annexation, settlement expansion, and the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure.

The session affirmed its support for Palestinian national unity, highlighting the need for adherence to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The OIC called for the implementation of electoral processes to ensure that the Palestinian people can choose their legitimate representatives through free and fair elections.

The OIC also expressed support for the Palestinian government’s efforts to form an administrative committee in the Gaza Strip, aimed at enhancing governance, security, and reconstruction efforts. The committee’s efforts will be conducted within the framework of the territorial unity of all Palestinian lands occupied in 1967, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

Further, the meeting called for legal accountability for Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people, emphasizing that Israel should be held responsible for the destruction, deaths, and suffering caused by its occupation and military actions. The OIC underscored the importance of international justice mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israeli officials.

The OIC also strongly rejected Israeli efforts to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), stressing that the agency’s work remains essential for stabilizing the region and fulfilling the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees.

In terms of immediate humanitarian assistance, the OIC supported the establishment of an international fund to assist Palestinian orphans in Gaza and urged countries to provide financial and material support for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, following the destruction caused by the Israeli aggression. Additionally, the OIC called for the provision of humanitarian aid to support Palestine’s economy, healthcare, and education sectors.

On the political front, the OIC reiterated its call for full recognition of the State of Palestine by all member states and the international community, calling for an end to Israel’s occupation and the recognition of Palestine’s rights to self-determination and statehood. It also endorsed the upcoming International Conference on the Two-State Solution, to be held at the UN headquarters in New York in June 2025, as a crucial step towards resolving the Palestinian question.

The OIC strongly condemned Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and Syria, stressing the importance of upholding international law, UN resolutions, and ensuring the sovereignty of these countries.

In closing, the OIC underscored the importance of continued international efforts to implement the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in light of the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing violations of international law by Israel. The OIC pledged to continue mobilizing diplomatic and political efforts to ensure the protection and rights of the Palestinian people, with a particular focus on achieving peace, justice, and the recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations.