Maldives has joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in calling for an immediate halt to attacks by Israeli forces on Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The call was made on behalf of the Maldives by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, who participated in the Open-Ended Virtual Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee at the Level of Foreign Ministers on May 16. The meeting, convened at the request of Saudi Arabia, brought together foreign ministers of the OIC to discuss the aggression and attacks by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In his statement, Minister Shahid condemned the violent attacks on Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza. He stated the forceful eviction of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, attacks on unarmed worshippers in the grounds of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, and constant bombardment of Gaza by Israel is in violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He further said an internationally agreed two-state solution that establishes an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with relevant resolutions, is the only solution for lasting peace and stability in the region.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a resolution by the Executive Committee of the OIC calling for an immediate halt to these attacks and condemning Israel for violating international law.
The OIC, comprising of 57 member states, has constantly advocated for the rights of Palestinian people and a two-state solution. Maldives has been an active member of the OIC since becoming a member in 1976.