Israeli military operations in the OPT – OIC press release, statement/Non-UN document

PRESS RELEASE

The Islamic Group has held a meeting at the United Nations, New York, at the level of Ambassadors of the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Palestine on 5 July 2006 considered the tragic conditions being suffered by the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as a result of the military operations being carried out by the Israeli occupation army.

During this meeting, the Group emphasized the need to apply the relevant international resolutions on the Palestinian issue. The Group also emphasized the need to implement the principles and decisions of international law, including humanitarian laws on the protection of human rights and particularly the explicit provisions of the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War adopted on 12 August 1949.

The Group expressed its deep concern at the continuing and extensive deterioration on the ground in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Such deterioration which has affected the Palestinian territories over the last few weeks has been the direct result of excessive use of force against the Palestinian people, leading to the killing of large numbers of innocent Palestinians and the wounding of many others, including children.

The Group condemned Israel’s excessive and large-scale use of military force, which has caused major destruction of Palestinian property and infrastructure. The Group also condemned the detention of important numbers of democratically-elected Palestinian officials.

The Group called on the United Nations Security Council to take the necessary measures and decisions in order to:

(1)              Demand that the Israeli occupation authorities should put an end to Israel’s persistent aggression against the Palestinian people; withdraw Israeli forces outside the Gaza Strip; and immediately release all Palestinian detainees, particularly the officials imprisoned during the recent events.

 (2)              Express thanks and appreciation for all the efforts and attempts aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution in order to liberate all prisoners, including the Israeli soldier.

(3)              Impress on Israel, as an occupation force, the need to honor its obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War adopted on 12 August 1949.

(4)              Underline the need to preserve and protect all institutions and infrastructures of the Palestinian National Authority and Palestinian property.

(5)              Express deep concern at the tragic situation of the Palestinian people and underscore the urgent need to provide them with all necessary assistance.

(6)              Denounce Israel’s air raid inside Syrian airspace and consider it a source of threat to security, stability, and peace in the Middle East region.

Accordingly, the Islamic Group at the United Nations calls on the international community, particularly the Quartet, to take the necessary steps in order to restore confidence between all parties with a view to reviving the peace process and coming back to the negotiating table, taking into account the importance of the recent Palestinian-Palestinian agreement on the National Conciliation Document, which should pave the way to an immediate revival of the peace process.

The Islamic Group in New York decided to meet again in order to assess developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Jeddah, 08 July 2006