OIC Condemns Gaza Siege; Urges Immediate Action by UN

JEDDAH, 4 February 2008 — The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which groups all Muslim countries, yesterday lashed out at Israel for the crimes it is committing against Palestinians in the occupied territories. It demanded that Tel Aviv end its policy of collective punishment.

At a meeting convened here yesterday at the insistence of Iran, OIC ministers and ambassadors from nearly 40 member countries asked the international community to play its role in stopping Israel from committing war crimes. “We hold Israel responsible for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and assert that these conditions are a direct result of Israel’s persistent assault, closure of border crossings and disruption of the flow of fuel, food and medical supplies to the Palestinian people,” they said in a written communique issued at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the organization’s executive committee.

Among the foreign ministers present at the meeting were Iran’s Manouchehr Mottaki and Turkey’s Ali Babacan. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar Obaid Madani represented Saudi Arabia at the meeting.

The organization expressed “deep disappointment” at the failure of the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility in addressing the humanitarian plight in Gaza. “We call upon the international community to act swiftly and provide immediate protection for Palestinian citizens in the occupied territories,” they said. “We stand united behind our Palestinian brothers. We share their pain. We understand their suffering. And we promise not to leave them to fend for themselves in this hour of crisis.” The OIC urged people in the member countries to come to the aid of the Palestinians. “We welcome the initiative of Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in seeking support for securing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people,” the ministers said, adding: “We exhort civil society institutions to provide greater humanitarian assistance.”

At a press conference later, Ihsanoglu admitted that providing assistance to people inside Gaza was a challenge in the face of the Israeli lockdown. “We are in touch with neighboring countries to work out the modalities of delivering aid to the Palestinian people,” he said.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Inamul Haque, who chaired the meeting, said Israel was using disproportionate force and killing civilians. “Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s military campaign and views it as an attempt to sabotage international efforts to find a permanent solution to the Palestinian problem,” he said. “The tragedy of Palestine is an open wound inflicted on the psyche of every Muslim.”

The Pakistani minister said these were difficult times not only for Palestinians but for all Muslims. “We must not give up. We will continue, by direct and indirect means, to exert pressure on Israel to relent and to abide by international laws. The blockade of Gaza is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention.”

Replying to a question on whether the OIC secretary-general shared the optimism of US President George W. Bush that an independent Palestinian state would come into being by the end of this year, Ihsanoglu said: “The facts on the ground speak otherwise. We welcome Bush’s commitment on the creation of a Palestinian state. It is by far the most serious American commitment. We hope Israel will stick at least this time to the pledge it made at Annapolis. Unfortunately, Israel has never stood by any agreement in the past.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki highlighted the suffering of his people as a result of the Israeli occupation and atrocities. “Please listen to the cries of women and children in Jabalya, Khan Yunis and Rafah. Gaza is under siege and there is no end to the suffering of its people,” he said. Malki commended Egypt for opening the border to Gazans with a view to helping them stock up on essential goods and water. “More than 1.5 million Palestinians are in dire straits because of the Israeli blockade,” he said and reiterated that Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem represented a single geographic entity.

The ministers were unanimous that peace and stability in the region could only be established if the Palestinian people were allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and an independent Palestinian state was established with Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting appreciated efforts being made by Saudi Arabia and Egypt to reconcile differences between Hamas and Fatah. “Their unity in the face of a brutal enemy is essential,” said the OIC ministers. “They should resume national dialogue and, in this regard, the Makkah Agreement brokered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah would be the best starting point.”

According to Ihsanoglu, the siege of Gaza should serve as an occasion for the Palestinians to unify their ranks. “If they fail to do so, Israel will be the only winner. Any disagreement will lead them directly into an Israeli trap, thereby jeopardizing the future of all Palestine.”

Arab News.com