The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Welcomes Achievements in the Palestinian Reform Plan in Brussels

SadaNews - The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation praised the tangible achievements made by the State of Palestine in implementing the institutional, administrative, and financial reform agenda, including the democratic and electoral path it has pursued, despite the unprecedented challenges facing the occupied Palestinian territories amidst the escalation of Israeli policies and assaults against the Palestinian people. The General Secretariat emphasized, in a statement delivered by Ambassador Taysir Duwas, the Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds, before a large number of European and international politicians in Brussels, including Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, and High Representative of the Union Kaja Kallas, that supporting the Palestinian National Authority and empowering it institutionally and financially is the fundamental pillar for protecting and implementing the two-state solution.

In this context, the General Secretariat stressed the utmost necessity for the immediate and unconditional release of all Palestinian tax revenues withheld by the Israeli occupation authorities illegally, pointing to the size of the existential challenges facing the National Authority due to the crippling financial crisis that threatens its ability to meet its obligations and provide vital services to the Palestinian people, particularly in essential sectors such as health, education, and social welfare.

The General Secretariat called on all international parties, partners, and donors to provide urgent financial support to the State of Palestine, warning against the consequences of the ongoing policy of withholding Palestinian clearance funds. The organization also renewed its condemnation of the systematic Israeli targeting of UNRWA and the continued crimes of the occupation, including settlement expansion, annexation, forced displacement, and harsh blockade.

The General Secretariat also demanded that the international community intensify pressure on Israel, the occupying power, to immediately commence the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan under Security Council Resolution 2803, which calls for the complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the opening of crossings, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid, while emphasizing the unity of the Palestinian people and land legally, politically, and institutionally under the leadership of the State of Palestine's government and its legitimate institutions.

It is worth noting that Ambassador Duwas represented the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the second high-level ministerial meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) for Palestine, which was held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on July 13-14, with wide participation from ministers and representatives of countries, institutions, and international and regional organizations and partners, following a senior officials' meeting that took place yesterday in preparation for the ministerial meeting.