Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hosts International Seminar in Jeddah to Discuss Challenges and Future Prospects of the Palestinian Issue

SadaNews - The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, hosted an international seminar titled "The Palestinian Issue: Challenges and Prospects," which was held today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah. The seminar was part of a consultative meeting that brought together the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and representatives of the Arab League and the African Union, within the framework of a common coordination mechanism to support the Palestinian issue, which was adopted by the decision of the Joint Arab Islamic Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 11, 2024.

A number of permanent representatives to the organization attended the seminar, along with senior officials and staff members of the General Secretariat, a group of academics and researchers, and representatives from civil society organizations.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, delivered a speech welcoming the attendees, appreciating the steadfast support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the Palestinian people and for UNRWA, condemning the illegal policies of Israeli occupation, including settlement activities, displacement, and the judaization of Jerusalem.

Dr. Abu Holi reviewed the severe challenges faced by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, such as killings, demolitions, displacement, and violations by settlers, and their impact on UNRWA's work and the need to cover its financial deficit and ensure the payment of salaries to its employees. He also pointed to the increasing international support for recognizing the State of Palestine and achieving a two-state solution, appreciating the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in enhancing this support, and emphasized the importance of efforts aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction, including initiatives related to the international conference for early recovery.

In conclusion, he urged the international community to fully end the Israeli occupation, realize the independence of the State of Palestine on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, reach a just solution to the refugee issue in accordance with Resolution 194, stop illegal unilateral measures, ensure international accountability, and enable the State of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations.

The sessions of the seminar included working papers presented by Ambassador Dr. Omar Awad Allah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine for Political Affairs, Dr. Issa Mnasra, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Al-Quds University, and Mohammed Hadiyah, a legal expert on Jerusalem affairs, which addressed the humanitarian situation of Palestinian refugees, Israeli violations, legal and diplomatic efforts, and the protection of Palestinian rights and sanctities.

Later, the Palestinian delegation, which included Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Omar Awad Allah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine for Political Affairs, Hadi Shibli, the Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Ihab Qishawi, the Consul General of the State of Palestine in Jeddah, met with Hussein Ibrahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.