Maldives has urged the international community to ensure that the rule of law is respected and upheld by all to end the genocidal acts being committed by Israel in Palestine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer, representing the Maldives, delivered the national statement during the Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In his remarks, Minister Zameer reflected on the worsening situation in Gaza, and condemned the genocidal acts being committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. The minister stressed the role of the international community in ensuring the rule of law is respected and upheld, to ensure Israel is held accountable for its atrocious acts. He then called for an urgent and lasting humanitarian ceasefire to be implemented. Noting that incremental progress of aid to Gaza is no longer enough, he called for the international community to ensure the safe collection and distribution of adequate aid by humanitarian convoys.
Reiterating that the Maldives will never waiver its commitment to the Palestinian cause, Minister Zameer stated that a lasting solution can only be realised with Palestine established as an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The minister also condemned the assassination of Chief of Political Bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh.
The OIC, comprising 57 Member States, is a strong advocate for the people of Palestine and their aspiration for statehood. The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC since becoming a member on July 26, 1976. The Extraordinary Open-ended Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee aims to address the brutal Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. The OIC meeting is being held at the invitation of Palestine and Iran, following the ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel in Palestine and the assassination of Former Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh.