Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel has described Israel’s attacks on the Iranian territory as an attack on regional stability and peace, and called for the immediate end to the aggression,
The Foreign Minister made the call during his address at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey.
In his remarks, the Foreign Minister noted that with the world transforming rapidly, it is important to establish unity among the OIC member countries and within the Islamic Ummah. The Minister expressed concern over the continuous atrocities committed by Israel against the people of Gaza and the Palestinian people.
The Minister said almost two years on, the brutal aggression of Israel against Gaza continues unchecked. While over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 100,000 injured, including 17,000 children, homes, schools, hospitals, businesses all lie in ruin, he noted.
The Minister condemned the recent reckless attacks by Israel on Iranian territory and said it is yet another attack on regional stability and peace. He said the Maldives strongly condemns Israel’s aggression and demand an immediate end to the attacks.
“If we fail to act now, history will judge us. The Ummah looks to us. The oppressed depend on us, to be the voice for the voiceless; to end the injustice unfolding before our eyes. The Maldives remains resolute and firm in our solidarity with the Palestinian people,” he stated.
The Minister spoke on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision in April this year to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives, and said the decision symbolises the Maldives’ commitment to Palestinian cause. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and for unimpeded humanitarian aid into Gaza without delay or condition.
The Minister said Palestine, like other countries in the world, should have the full right to raise its flag freely. Peace cannot prevail without an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, he asserted.
The Minister reiterated the Maldives’ call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He expressed the Maldives’ readiness to support the implementation of the two-state solution initiated by Saudi Arabia and core group, and the Gaza Reconstruction Plan to restore hope, dignity and long-denied rights of the Palestinian people.
The Minister also highlighted the efforts of the OIC leadership to maintain the interests of the Islamic Ummah at the highest level in the global stage. The Foreign Minister stressed that the Islamic Ummah is one bound by faith and shared values, and urged for the Ummah to stay united and work together to shape a future rooted in peace, justice and stability for the entire Ummah.