OIC calls for halt to Israeli aggression

BANJUL, GAMBIA: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit called for “an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip”.

“The principled position of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation” is “to support the Palestinian people and their just cause”, said Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary General of the OIC in his closing speech at the summit.

A small rally in support of the Palestinian people was held in a street near the conference centre, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and posters calling for “the liberation of Gaza” and “a cease-fire”.

“The summit adopted a resolution on the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Sherif, as well as a final statement on the issue on its agenda in the political, humanitarian, legal, economic, cultural, social and media fields, in addition to the Banjul Declaration,” said Taha.

“The principled position of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is to support the Palestinian people and their just cause. It called for an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, to facilitate adequate and sustained access of aid to Gaza and to continue Islamic mobilisation in support of Palestine’s right to seek full membership of the United Nations and the establishment of the State of Palestine with Al-Quds Sherif as its capital.

“The summit also reiterated its support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) to enable it to continue to fulfil its vital role, and for continued legal action to hold Israel to account before the International Court of Justice and the courts for its heinous crimes against the Palestinian people.”