The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) asserted on Monday that the Palestinian cause was central to the organization, describing it as a source of unity and strength.
Secretary-General of the OIC, Yousef Othaimeen stressed that the cause is at the heart of joint Islamic action and enjoys consensus of all OIC members.
Othaimeen confirmed that he had conducted many consultations with various stakeholders and what transpired is that the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative is a strategic choice and historic opportunity to reaching a peaceful and fair solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
“Any just and comprehensive peaceful solution geared towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict must thus adopt it as a reference.”
He stressed that the OIC adheres to peace as a strategic choice based on international law, international resolution, the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution.
Normalizing relations between OIC member states and Israel will never take place until the end of Israeli occupation of the Arab and Palestinian lands seized in 1967, including Jerusalem, according to Othaimeen.
"The OIC supports all efforts exerted to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable national rights, including the right of return, self-determination and the establishment of their independent and sovereign state according to the borders of June 4, 1967," he added.
He stressed that any Israeli unilateral measures to annex Palestinian lands and build settlements are illegal and aim to change the political and legal situation of occupied Palestinian lands and undermine the two-state solution.
Othaimeen recalled resolutions of the recent Islamic Summit and the OIC's Executive Committee which rejected any measures that may affect Jerusalem’s historical legal, or political status.
