OIC Summit : Israeli Self-Defence Cannot be a Justification to Bomb Gaza

A summit convened by Saudi Arabia within the Arab-Islamic community took place, urging an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza while unequivocally rejecting Israel’s justification of its actions against Palestinians as self-defense.

The summit, which unfolded on a Saturday, issued a final communique condemning what it described as “Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, war crimes, and barbaric and inhumane massacres by the occupation government.”

The summit’s participants emphasized the belief that lasting peace could only be achieved through the cessation of the Israeli occupation, the dismantling of illegal settlements, and the restoration of the established rights of the Palestinian people, advocating for the establishment of a state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while accusing Israel of seeking revenge on Gazan civilians, particularly children and women, urged for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. He underscored the distinction between Hamas resistors defending their homeland and the occupying forces.

Palestinian President:

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas drew attention to the escalating raids by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, urging the United States to intervene and halt what he described as “Israel’s aggression, the occupation, violation, and desecration of our holy sites.” Abbas categorically rejected military and security solutions, emphasizing the rejection of any efforts to displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar questioned the international community’s stance on Israel, asking how long the world would treat Israel as if it were above international law. He expressed concern about the scenes unfolding in Gaza, including the shelling of hospitals.

Originally intended to meet separately, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member bloc including Iran, merged their meetings due to a lack of agreement on a final statement among Arab League delegations. Some countries, such as Algeria and Lebanon, proposed disruptive measures, including threats to oil supplies and severing economic and diplomatic ties with Israel. However, at least three countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, rejected these proposals.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressed the need for concrete punitive measures against Israel, asserting that any steps or speeches without real tools of pressure would be meaningless. He called for a suspension of all political processes and economic relations with Israel until a lasting ceasefire was achieved.

Despite calls for a ceasefire, both Israel and its main backer, the United States, rebuffed these demands, drawing heavy criticism. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused the United States of preventing a ceasefire and expanding the scope of the conflict.

Criticism on the West:

In a related development, Turkish President Erdogan criticized Western countries for their silence in the face of ongoing Palestinian suffering, characterizing it as a contradiction to their professed commitment to human rights and freedoms. Palestinian President Abbas held the United States accountable for its influence on Israel, claiming that it bears responsibility for the lack of a political solution to the conflict.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar of Pakistan embarked on a three-day official visit to Riyadh, where he was welcomed by Governor of Riyadh Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, and senior Saudi and Pakistani diplomatic staff.

Addressing concerns over the Palestinian situation, the Pakistani foreign office expressed deep distress over what it termed “heinous crimes” committed against the Palestinian people. Pakistan welcomed the Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Riyadh, called in response to the Israeli attacks on Gaza, highlighting the grave threat to the civilian population and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

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