OIC chief condemns Israeli crimes against Palestinians

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Iyad Amin Madani added his condemnation of the increasing number of terrorist acts carried out by extremist Jewish settlers. All of these crimes, he insisted, are a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law.

Speaking on Wednesday, the OIC chief said that the Knesset’s green light for the occupation forces to use live ammunition against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem represents official “endorsement of the criminal operations” and a very public authorisation for the killing and oppression of Palestinians without any due legal or humanitarian process.

The secretary general said that he holds the Israeli government responsible for the escalated tension due to its segregationist policies and crimes which fuel extremism, violence and racism.

He pointed out that the OIC is proceeding with the implementation of the resolution issued by the extraordinary meeting of its members’ foreign ministers, held earlier this month. This includes calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to review the situation and seek international protection for the Palestinian people.

Madani also indicated that the OIC intends to initiate action at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for an emergency session to deliberate on the violations perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces and the extremist settler groups. The primary focus, he said, will be Israeli aggression, particularly against Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The OIC is calling for the establishment of an international committee to investigate Israeli crimes, he added.