OIC Supports Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction and Rejects Displacement

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers at its headquarters in Jeddah, to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and the annexation and displacement plans from their land.

Speeches were delivered by the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, Logen Mbela Mbela, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cameroon, Chairman of the Council of Foreign Ministers, Dr. MamadouTangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambian Expatriates of the Republic of Gambia, which chairs the Islamic Summit, and Dr. Mohamed Mustafa, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, at the opening session of the extraordinary ministerial meeting.

In his speech, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation affirmed his support for the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which was adopted by the Arab Summit, while adhering to the right of the Palestinian people to remain in their land, as it represents a common and realistic vision that requires everyone to mobilize the necessary financial and political support to implement it, within the framework of an integrated political and economic path to achieve the vision of the two-state solution. He warned of the danger of the unacceptable Israeli measures and attempts to liquidate the Palestinian refugee issue.

The Secretary-General stressed that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and its vital role in serving millions of Palestinian refugees cannot be dispensed with or replaced, while stressing the need to double political, financial and legal support for the agency. 

He added that the meeting is being held while it is burdened by the challenges facing the Palestinian cause as a result of the continued occupation, settlement, daily crimes, annexation plans, and forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their land by Israel, the occupying power, and its attempts to Judaize the Holy City of Al-Quds and violate the sanctity of its holy sites, in addition to the siege, starvation, arrests, storming of Palestinian cities and camps, and the destruction of their infrastructure and homes.

 The Secretary-General called for more concerted efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces, the delivery of humanitarian aid, helping the displaced to return to their homes, enabling the Palestinian government to assume its duties and preserve the unity of the Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Al-Quds. 

He equally highlighted the importance of implementing emergency relief, economic recovery, and reconstruction programs, and providing international protection for the Palestinians.