OIC Secretary General expresses concern over Kalandia crossing – OIC Press release/Non UN document

Press Release

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expresses his deep concern over Israel’s declaring the Kalandia crossing in the occupied Palestinian territories an international border crossing, a decision aimed at isolating the City of Al-Quds/Jerusalem and its surroundings and considering it as falling within the borders drawn by Israel unilaterally.

Such a unilateral measure is inadmissible and, it is therefore incumbent upon the international community and the Quartet to react immediately and exercise pressure on Israel to dissuade it from taking any unilateral steps that may prejudice the inalienable and imprescriptible rights of the Palestinian people as acknowledged under UN resolutions, international law and the Road Map.

This undertaking on the part of Israel constitutes a serious escalation that may jeopardize world peace and security, rule out any chances for the achievement of peace in the Middle-East and lead, rather, to increased violence and confrontations.

The Organization of The Islamic Conference reiterates that the way to peace in the Middle-East region passes through recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people, implementing the relevant UN resolutions and abiding by the Road Map which provides for the establishment of the State of Palestine on all the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 including East Jerusalem/Al-Quds. And any measure adopted by Israel that conflicts with the Road Map and the international resolutions represents a glaring  defiance of the international community and international law. In this respect we call upon the international community to reject any such measures and not to recognize any steps taken by Israel unilaterally in drawing its borders inside the occupied Palestinian territories.

Jeddah: 27^th March 2006