Today, Sunday, the emergency virtual meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened at the request of Saudi Arabia to discuss the escalation in Palestine, commenced. At the start of the session, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that "Israel is committing flagrant violations against the Palestinians," adding: "We condemn Israel's seizure of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem."
The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized that "East Jerusalem is Palestinian land that we do not accept being violated," further asserting that "the Kingdom firmly rejects Israeli violations against the Palestinians and calls for an immediate cessation of Israeli escalation." He confirmed that Saudi Arabia urges the international community to "bear its responsibilities concerning Israel's violations," stating that "the international community must urgently intervene to put a stop to Israeli practices."
He continued: "We reaffirm our support for peace according to the Arab initiative to establish stability and prosperity," adding that "the Arab initiative guarantees the rights of Palestinians with a state whose capital is Jerusalem." Prince Faisal bin Farhan concluded by affirming that "the Kingdom supports all efforts aimed at advancing peace initiatives."
For his part, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki stated: "We are committed to Arab, Islamic, and Christian sovereignty over Palestine," adding that "Israel's practices are an assault on Arabs, Muslims, and international norms."
Sources revealed to Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels that the draft resolution presented to the meeting includes condemnation of "Israel's brutal assaults against Palestinians" and calls for "an end to all Israeli violations," in addition to holding the "United Nations Security Council responsible for taking immediate action to stop Israel's aggression."
The draft resolution also expresses "concern over the accelerated pace of Israeli settlement," and includes "warnings against the continuation of provocations and Israeli assaults." The resolution is expected to call for "international legal action through courts and UN bodies to compel Israel to pay material and moral compensation for the damages inflicted on Palestinian infrastructure."
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stated in its announcement on Saturday, which called for the emergency meeting: "At the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the chair of the Islamic summit and the host country of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an emergency virtual meeting of the Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers of OIC member states will be held tomorrow to discuss the bloody events and Israeli assaults in the land of Palestine, especially in the noble Jerusalem, and what Israel is doing in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque."
Israel continues to escalate its attacks on the Gaza Strip, rejecting calls for a ceasefire, with the Israeli army chief stating that Tel Aviv is prepared for several days of fighting on the Gaza front. It is noteworthy that the violent escalation between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since Monday. The latest toll from Palestinian authorities as of Friday evening indicated 145 fatalities, including 39 children, and over a thousand injuries due to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
