OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Rejects Greater Israel Plan

 

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have rejected Israel’s controversial and expansionist plan, known as “Greater Israel,” at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Jeddah, calling it a serious violation of international law. The meeting was held at a time when Gaza is in the throes of bloodshed, Israeli bombing has claimed thousands of innocent lives, settlements have become piles of rubble and the Palestinian people are facing the worst humanitarian crisis.

In his address, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the only and lasting solution to the Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution. He made it clear that Israel is carrying out unilateral actions in Gaza, which are a clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles. He said that the establishment of new Jewish settlements in the West Bank is unacceptable and the concept of “Greater Israel” cannot be accepted under any circumstances.  He stressed that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state is inevitable, and that Israel’s expansionist ambitions pose a serious threat to peace in the entire region.

On the other hand, Israel has recently approved a plan to settle more than 3,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank. This plan will cut off occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank from each other, thus burying the very idea of ​​a Palestinian state. The Israeli finance minister has openly said that the plan aims to end the dream of a Palestinian state forever. President Trump has gone two steps further and said that the Palestinians will have to leave their homeland and settle somewhere else.

The United Nations, European countries and several international organizations have condemned Israel’s plan, but no practical pressure has been put on Israel. This is the attitude that is being strongly criticized, saying that mere statements of condemnation and concern are not the solution to the problem, the real need is for practical measures. Israel has been flouting resolutions for years, but international organizations have remained a picture of helplessness.

Addressing the meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the “Greater Israel” plan is not only unacceptable but also a major threat to peace and stability. He said that Pakistan strongly rejects the plan and demands that unhindered and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza be ensured, forced evictions and illegal occupation be ended and an immediate and permanent ceasefire be implemented. Ishaq Dar said that the Palestinian people have been subjected to brutal atrocities for the past two years, the majority of the martyrs are women and children, and Israel has targeted schools, hospitals and even UN facilities. The Palestinians are being subjected to collective punishment and more than sixty thousand children, elderly women and youth have lost their lives. This situation is enough to shake the conscience of the international community, but despite this, silence prevails.

Mere statements of condemnation are not enough.  If the OIC member states unite and decide to give the Palestinians their rights, not only can Israel's expansionist ambitions be stopped, but the  can influence the world. Although the two-state solution is not based on complete justice because Israel has spread its tentacles across Palestinian land, it is the most viable path now, given the circumstances.

On this occasion, Ishaq Dar also met with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Somalia, Bangladesh and Malaysia. The grave situation in Gaza, ceasefire, provision of humanitarian aid and establishment of lasting peace were discussed in these meetings. All the leaders expressed complete solidarity with Palestine and strongly condemned the Israeli aggression. The most important point in this whole scenario is that although the Muslim world is united in words, the real test is practical actions. When Palestinian children who have emerged from the rubble of Israeli bombings scream near the bodies of their mothers, there is only one question on their lips: Where are the Arab countries? Why are their neighboring countries not defending them? This question is an open challenge to the global conscience.

After the Hamas attack on October 7 last year in response to Israel's daily aggression and attacks, the eyes of the world were focused on the Middle East. Everyone wanted to know how severe and long Israel's response would be, and to what extent Arab countries would support the Palestinians. Time has proven that Israel's response is not only severe but also long, cruel, inhumane and destructive, but its morale has been further boosted by the indifference of the Muslim world. 

Today, the destruction in the Gaza Strip is at its peak, more than sixty thousand Palestinians have been martyred, millions are homeless, but there are no signs of stopping the Israeli aggression. This situation requires the unity and role of Muslim countries. If more than sixty countries of the OIC combine their strength and resources and put pressure on the United Nations and the major powers, Israel's aggressive hands can be stopped.  Resolutions and statements alone are not enough; practical diplomacy, economic pressure, and a joint strategy are the only path that can bring relief to the oppressed people of Palestine and lay the foundation for lasting peace in the region.