OIC Calls for Immediate Cessation of Illegal Israeli Activities in OPT

NEW YORK, September 29, 2009 (WAFA)-The members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) called for the immediate cessation of all illegal Israeli activities in accordance with the occupying Power's obligations under international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, in accordance with commitments and obligations under the Quartet Roadmap, and in respect of the firm international consensus in this regard.

OIC Committee on Palestine (Guinea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal and the Secretary-General of the OIC) met Monday, at the Ministerial level, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to consider the current situation and recent developments regarding the question of Palestine.

The Committee called upon the international community, particularly the Security Council, to hold responsible for Occupied East Jerusalem, and to take urgent action to bring a complete halt to all illegal Israeli measures and actions aimed at changing the demographic composition, character, geographic nature and legal status of the Holy City, de-populating it of its Palestinian inhabitants, entrenching the occupying Power’s unlawful control of the City and thus illegally and unilaterally determining the fate of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem), the capital of the future State of Palestine.

The Committee called on all OIC Member States to provide urgent material support to the Palestinian people and their institutions in Occupied East Jerusalem so that to protect the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and support the steadfastness of its people and preserve the Arab, Islamic and civilizational character of the Holy City.

The Committee called for an intensification of efforts by the international community aimed at the accelerated achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap.

The Committee reiterated in this regard its firm and unwavering support for the just cause of Palestine. The Committee called for the speedy realization by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination, with the establishment of their independent State of Palestine, Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and a just solution for the plight of the Palestine refugees on the basis of General Assembly resolution 194(III).

The Committee decided to exert efforts to raise awareness of the situation in the Holy City, and to strengthen support for the needs of the Palestinian people, including the inhabitants of the Holy City and the besieged civilian population in the Gaza Strip, during this critical period.

The Committee expressed serious concern about the grave situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, especially the continuing inhumane Israeli blockade and dire humanitarian crisis being imposed on the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing illegal colonization campaign being carried out by Israel, the occupying Power, particularly in and around Occupied East Jerusalem.

The Committee strongly condemned the attacks by the Israeli occupying forces, including extremist Jewish colonizers, perpetrated against Palestinian civilians and worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound in Occupied East Jerusalem.

The Committee reiterated its condemnation of Israel's persistent aggression against Islamic and Christian holy places in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and against the Palestinian inhabitants of the Holy City, which continues to cause rising tensions and mounting difficulties for the Palestinian inhabitants of the City in all spheres of life.

The Committee expressed grave concern about and condemned in particular Israel's illegal and intensifying colonization measures, including its ongoing settlement activities, transfer of more Israeli settlers and construction of the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in and around the Holy City, as well as its escalating practice of demolition of Palestinian homes, eviction of Palestinian families from the City.

Seizing of more Palestinian land, homes and properties, illegal excavations near and beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound, evocation of Palestinian residency rights in the City, continued closure of Palestinian institutions in the City, and the imposition of severe restrictions to movement that have isolated the City from the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.