OIC Urges Int’l Accountability of Israel’s Breaches in Jerusalem

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Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (C), Secretary General of OIC Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen (R) and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (L) attend a press conference after the Executive Committee Meeting of the OIC.

Itanbul, MINA – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers meeting in Turkey on Tuesday called for Islamic and international accountability of Israel’s breaches in Jerusalem, KUNA reported.

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In a final communique, delivered in a joint press conference by the Turkish foreign minister and the OIC chief, they condemned Israel’s attempts to alter the existing historic reality in Jerusalem.

They also criticised recent measures taken by Israeli Defence Forces, namely the installation of surveillance cameras inside the Muslim quarters of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, and Israel’s excavation works carried out at Al-Asbat Gate at the Temple Mount.

Any similar moves carried out by Israel in the future are “illegal,” and the OIC said it would tackle any of these actions.

The OIC also expressed its categorical rejection of “illegitimate occupational practices in Jerusalem.” These include Israel’s building of settlements and prevention of Palestinian Muslim and Christian worshippers from reaching their holy sites.

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Ongoing excavations carried out under Al-Aqsa Mosque’s foundations threaten the safety of residential buildings in Jerusalem and forcibly push residents out of their homes, the OIC also stressed.

OIC ministers went on to condemn attempts to alter Jerusalem’s demographics, particularly an Israeli draft law to replace large Palestinian neighborhoods with illegal Israeli settlements.
The final statement called on the international community to ensure the safety of the Palestinian people, especially those in Jerusalem, and to put a stop to all of Israel’s illegal practices.

OIC ministers were called upon to back Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ request for a mechanism that ensures their safety, as they urged the international community to come up with a “clear and firm” position in rejection of Israel’s measures to alter the historic reality in Jerusalem.

They also urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its “grave infringements” upon the rights of the Palestinian people and its breaches of international law.
(T/ (MINA)RS5/RS1)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency