Arab League, African Union and OIC Condemn Israeli Settlement Expansion

The Arab League, the African Union Commission and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have jointly condemned what they described as illegal Israeli settlement and annexation policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that such measures threaten prospects for peace and violate international law.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the heads of the three organizations criticized plans linked to the E1 settlement project and the displacement of Palestinian and Bedouin communities near East Jerusalem. They reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

The statement also condemned restrictions imposed on international nongovernmental organizations and humanitarian agencies operating in the Palestinian territories, including UNRWA.

The three organizations called on the international community to protect Palestinian rights, ensure humanitarian access and press Israel to release Palestinian tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority.