Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World

Extraordinary Islamic Summit on Al-Quds calls for internationalizing struggle for peace and imposing political and economic restrictions in response to US decision

Date: 13/12/2017

The Extraordinary Islamic Summit, on 13 December 2017 in Istanbul, called on the United States of America to revoke its decision to recognize Al-Quds as capital of Israel, affirming its condemnation and rejection of this decision and the US President’s announcement to relocate the American embassy in the city.

In its Final Communiqué, the Summit held the US administration fully responsible for any repercussions of it refusing to disavow this unlawful decision, taking it as a clear desertion by the US administration of its role as peace broker. The Summit also dismissed the decision as a gift to Israel for its continuous renouncement of agreements and blatant breach to international legitimacy.

The call was also for the OIC Member States to impose political and economic restrictions on States, officials, parliaments, companies and individuals recognizing Israeli annexation of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, or engaging in any form with measures aimed at perpetuating Israeli colonization of the occupied Palestinian territories.

On the need to internationalize peace, the Communiqué called on international actors to promote a multilateral political process, to resume an internationally sponsored, credible process to achieve lasting peace based on the Two-State solution.

Speaking at the Summit, OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen stated that the Extraordinary Summit bears acute significance particularly as to the centrality of the cause of Palestine and Al Quds for the entire Muslim Ummah, considering the US administration’s unilateral decision a downright aggression on the city’s sacrosanct identity and Arab character.

He further said the OIC uncompromisingly rejects the US move as an act which constitutes a clear violation of international law, deals a heavy blow to international relations and runs counter to the spirit of the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions. By taking this move, Al-Othaimeen added, the US are breaking the international consensus regarding the political, legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

The Organization called on the Arab Muslim world to join efforts, regionally and worldwide, to harness all the diplomatic means available to counter such measures and face up to the US unilateral decision rejected by most of the world countries.

It is high time, amid current attempts to sap international legitimacy, the State of Palestine enjoys full recognition by all, the Secretary General pointed out. He stated, “The OIC calls again on those states that have not as yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so promptly such as to consolidate the foundations of the Two-State solution, for justice and international legitimacy to prevail.”

Addressing the OIC foreign ministers gathering at the preparatory meeting to the extraordinary Islamic Summit, the Secretary General invited the international community to back up the Palestinian reconciliation efforts and to enable the Palestinian consensus Government to exercise its role and fulfill its commitments towards the Palestinian people and for the reconstitution of the Gaza Strip. He also welcomed the positive outcome of the Palestinian national reconciliation.

Related: Alquds

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