Jeddah: The Emergency Meeting of the "Islamic Cooperation" to Discuss the Israeli Genocide War Against Gaza Begins

SadaNews - Today, Monday, the emergency meeting of foreign ministers began at the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the ongoing Israeli genocide war against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and Israel's decision to expand its operations.

The emergency ministerial meeting comes to coordinate positions and joint efforts to confront decisions and plans aimed at entrenching the occupation and complete Israeli control over the Gaza Strip.

Read also: An emergency meeting of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding developments in Palestine

Palestinian Representative: Israel's Impunity has Led to its Madness

In the opening of his speech, the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, spoke about Israel's efforts to exert complete military control over the Gaza Strip, prolonging this war, and preventing the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.

He also addressed the statements of the Prime Minister of the occupation government about achieving the dream of Greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates, as well as endorsing the illegal Smotrich plan for colonial expansion and annexation of the occupied West Bank, which we condemn in the strongest terms and must be repelled.

Ambassador Mansour clarified that these statements provide additional clarification to this aggression that targets the entire region, stressing that Israel's impunity is what has led to its madness.

He affirmed that what will compel Israel to change its course is our ability to transform justified condemnations into actions that achieve justice and end the injustice inflicted on our Palestinian people.

He pointed out that the high-level international conference co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France adopted an international plan that begins with ending the use of famine as a weapon of war, and ending the war on Gaza through a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, and supporting the Arab Islamic plan for reconstruction, and holding a conference in Cairo in this regard after stopping the aggression.

In this regard, he explained that this plan anticipates the resumption of the Palestinian National Authority's governmental and security tasks in the Gaza Strip with regional and international support, and handing over arms to the Palestinian Authority as part of ending the war and in line with the goal of the independence of the Palestinian state, setting a path of no return towards establishing an independent sovereign Palestinian state, leading to joint peace and security and regional integration.

He praised the courageous stances that oppose the genocide and famine practiced by Israel against the Palestinians, including the position of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, including the recent cry of conscience he raised against famine in Gaza after it was confirmed by relevant international organizations recently and officially for the first time.

He stressed that confronting this illegal and immoral plan cannot be done with anger alone, but all available tools must be mobilized to stop it, noting that Israel has long proven that it does not care about the UN Charter or international law or UN resolutions if they are not accompanied by consequences.

He explained that the Palestinian side has presented plans and proposals and areas of cooperation with all efforts aimed at facilitating reaching an agreement to end the war, and it is necessary to act in all available ways, including under Chapter Seven in the Security Council, to deprive Israel of the tools that help it continue this brutal war, hold it accountable for its crimes, and send an immediate international protection force to save the people.

He also expressed the gratitude of our Palestinian people and leadership and President Mahmoud Abbas to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for their unlimited support for the Palestinian cause and the inalienable rights of our people to self-determination and independence, and the sovereignty of the Palestinian state on the June 4 borders with its capital Jerusalem and the return of refugees.

He explained that Palestine is ready to work with all brothers, friends, and the US administration, Saudi Arabia, France, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, members of the Security Council, and other regional and international partners to put an end to the brutal war against the Palestinian people and stop the bloodshed.

He added: Our actions today will determine the fate of millions of people tomorrow, at least for those who will be alive by then.

The Republic of Gambia: We Must Come Up with Results that Ensure Justice for the Palestinians

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Gambia stated that the situation in Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, requires urgent action, as conditions are worsening after two years of war, with the loss of lives in Gaza, and we must come up with results that will improve the lives of the Palestinians.

He affirmed that the continuation of Israeli military operations, the forcible displacement of Palestinians, killing, and destruction does not help in achieving peace and security in the region, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and Palestine is profound, with significant repercussions that are not only affecting the region but the entire Islamic nation and the international community as a whole.

He added: The Israeli occupation is illegal and harms vulnerable groups, as many children have been separated from their families, losing their parents, as well as the lack of food, personal hygiene, and education, which affects their stability and that of the region in the short term.

He relied on reports documenting the famine in Gaza, casting a shadow over about 300,000 children due to the Israeli blockade, preventing the entry of aid, and targeting convoys, which constitutes a source of concern and a serious violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Convention, and the Rome Statute, and the International Court of Justice.

He pointed out that escalating tensions in the West Bank and Gaza and the borders with Lebanon could destabilize the region, expressing his country's strong condemnation of attacks on sacred sites in Palestine, calling for the necessity to protect them.

He continued: The situation in Gaza requires an urgent international response, to alleviate humanitarian suffering, protect human rights, and work towards achieving lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

He emphasized the necessity of humanitarian assistance reaching those in need and working towards finding a political solution that seeks to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the region.

He concluded by reiterating Gambia’s full support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, and calling on the international community to fulfill its commitments and hold Israel accountable for respecting its resolutions and those of the UN Security Council for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue.

He stressed the necessity of the two-state solution by establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.

Turkey: Israel is Committing a Humanitarian Crime in the Gaza Strip and the Aggression Exceeds Boundaries

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel is committing a humanitarian crime, and we cannot allow this to continue; it must be stopped.

He added: A ceasefire must be imposed, and efforts must be united to maintain the momentum of recognizing the State of Palestine and seeking its full membership at the United Nations, with Israel's activities in the General Assembly being suspended, and preparing for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under the Arab and Islamic plan, with Turkey playing its role in these efforts.

He continued: Gaza belongs to the Palestinians, and it must be ensured that they remain on their land; the priority is for a permanent ceasefire and allowing aid to reach Gaza.

He confirmed Turkey's support for the peace efforts being made by Qatar and Egypt, noting that the Israeli government is not seeking peace, and it must agree to a ceasefire proposal.

He noted that there is a rejection of the oppressive occupation policies, and Western societies are beginning to change their positions.

Fidan welcomed the announcement of the intentions of France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to recognize the State of Palestine at the conference held in New York City on July 30th, adding, "The recognition of the State of Palestine is gradually becoming an irreversible fact that must keep Israel under strong and coordinated pressure to achieve a lasting solution in Palestine."

He pointed out that the UN General Assembly in September will represent a pivotal moment in this context, calling on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to seize the opportunity to raise their voice and bolster the institutions of the State of Palestine, which needs technical and institutional support to work steadily.

He explained that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was established to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause, and any weakness in this context threatens its very existence.

Hakan warned that Israeli aggression will not stop at Palestine; the illegal attacks launched by Netanyahu's government on Syria, Lebanon, and Iran reveal an agenda that could destabilize the region and the Middle East, if not beyond.

Saudi Arabia: We Reject the Israeli Expansionist Project and It is the Right of Palestinians to Live in a Sovereign State

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan stated that the unprecedented Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip, constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian laws.

He called on the international community to put an end to the crimes committed by the occupation and to reject its intention to impose its sovereignty over Gaza.

He continued: We are here today in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers who are exposed to the most heinous forms of killing and starvation, and because we are convinced that Israeli practices threaten peace and security, we are determined to confront this threat by uniting our ranks and efforts to improve our work.

He underscored that his country affirms the need to take the necessary steps to break the siege, allow humanitarian assistance without hindrances, and support UNRWA and humanitarian agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Saudi Arabia condemned through its Foreign Minister the statements recently published by the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Greater Israel vision, expressing his rejection of the expansionist project adopted by Israeli authorities, and affirming that it is the right of Palestinians to live in a sovereign state.

He also called on the international community to unite to empower the Palestinian people, particularly by supporting the Palestinian government, and demanded that occupation be compelled to release tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority.

He stated, "We continue to mobilize internationally for the establishment of a sovereign Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders, and we support the efforts of Egypt and Qatar to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid for the Gazans."

He concluded: The continued impunity undermines the global system and international laws and undermines multiple opportunities for cooperation and international legitimacy, which could expand the circle of violence and undermine security and peace not only in the region but in the world.

"Islamic Cooperation": We Emphasize Our Opposition to the Israeli Aggression on Palestinian Territories and Call on the International Community to Assume Its Responsibilities

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, held Israel responsible for the violent operations against the Palestinians, expressing his rejection of Israeli aggression, genocide, ethnic cleansing, forcible displacement, systematic destruction, and the illegal blockade of Gaza, which we are witnessing today, where starvation is used as a weapon of war, along with annexation policies and settlement activities and the assault on sacred places, particularly in the city of Jerusalem.

He condemned statements threatening to impose a complete military siege on Gaza and the Israeli Prime Minister's announcement calling for achieving the vision of Greater Israel.

He affirmed that this announcement constitutes a violation of international law and the UN Charter, condemning proposals linked to building settlements east of Jerusalem and targeting journalists in Gaza.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to break the siege and allow the entry of aid into Gaza, and the necessity of working towards a ceasefire, preventing settlement in occupied territories, and holding a reconstruction conference in Cairo.

Taha pointed to his support for the outcomes of the New York Conference regarding determining the path and announcing countries' intentions to recognize the State of Palestine, calling on other member states to support this initiative.

He expressed his hope that the meeting would result in measures to stop the aggression and allow the Palestinians to establish their independent state with the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with UN resolutions.