PRESS RELEASE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CONDEMNS ISRAEL’S PERSISTENCE IN PERPETRATING THE CRIMES OF ASSASSINATING THE LEADERS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has condemned Israel’s persistence in perpetrating the brutal crimes of brutal assassinations of the leaders and key-figures of the Palestinian people. Such was the case in Israel’s assassination of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Rantissi, the leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), who was assassinated by Israel in Gaza on Monday along with two of his escorts and an unknown number of Palestinian citizens.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference places the whole responsibility of the grave consequences of this crime on Israel, particularly in view of the fact that this assassination has come at a time when the international community is working hard to place the Middle East on the threshold of new era away from the cycle of conflict, violence, and killing.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference renews its calls on the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel to compel it to put an end to these practices that are in breach of International Law. It calls on the United Nations Security Council to assume its responsibilities of keeping international peace and security by securing the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people and their leaders in the face of the state terrorism practiced by Israel.
The OIC Secretary-General takes this opportunity to express his most sincere condolences to the family of the martyred Dr. Al-Rantissi, the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian leadership. He reaffirms the Islamic Ummah’s stand on the side of the Palestinian people in their just struggle to regain their inalienable national rights, including their right to return and the establishment of their independent State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Jeddah, 18 April 2004.
Document Sources: Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Subject: Extrajudicial killings, Incidents
Publication Date: 18/04/2004