OIC Hosts International Seminar on Palestinian Cause

Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat hosted an international seminar titled 'The Palestinian Cause: Challenges and Prospects,' which was held yesterday at the organization's headquarters in Jeddah. According to Saudi Press Agency, the seminar took place on the sidelines of the consultative meeting that brought together the OIC and representatives of the League of Arab States and the African Union, under the joint coordination mechanism to support the Palestinian cause. The mechanism was adopted pursuant to a resolution of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on November 11, 2024. Speaking on behalf of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, the assistant secretary-general for Palestine and Al-Quds affairs, Ambassador Samir Bakr, reaffirmed the organization's position, stressing the need to establish a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and secure the complete wit hdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza. He also rejected and condemned any attempts to displace the Palestinian people, whether in the Gaza Strip or the occupied West Bank. The assistant secretary-general also warned of the grave danger posed by the ongoing Israeli crimes in the West Bank, including annexation plans, attempts to impose alleged Israeli sovereignty, settlement expansion, settler terrorism, arbitrary arrests, and repeated military incursions. He further cautioned against threats to Jerusalem and attempts to alter its historical and legal status. Diab welcomed the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine and called on all countries that have not yet done so to recognize it in support of the two-state solution. He also commended the United Nations General Assembly's decision to extend UNRWA's mandate, underscoring the need for continued political and financial support for the agency.