OIC Holds Israel Responsible for Haniyeh’s Assassination in Iran

The OIC holds its meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)
The OIC holds its meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)
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OIC Holds Israel Responsible for Haniyeh’s Assassination in Iran

The OIC holds its meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)
The OIC holds its meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held on Wednesday Israel responsible for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last week.

The OIC convened a meeting of the Executive Committee at the level of foreign ministers in Jeddah to discuss the latest escalation in the region.

The gatherers condemned the ongoing “war crimes and genocide committed by Israel, the illegal occupation, in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.” It noted that since October, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed and wounded over 140,000 Palestinians.

Palestinian envoy to the United Nations Riad Mansour told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Israel’s aggression, oppression and policy of starvation will not stop unless UN Security Council resolutions are implemented, the most recent of which was the US proposed resolution that enjoyed 14 votes in favor.”

By assassinating Haniyeh, Israel wants to drag the region and US to a broad war, he warned.

The Arab and Islamic worlds do not want war, he stressed. They want to live in peace, stop the conflicts and save innocent lives.

In a statement, the OIC said Haniyeh’s assassination was a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. It is a dangerous violation of Iran’s sovereignty, regional safety and national security.

It warned that the “ongoing Israeli crimes and illegal occupation undermine security and stability in the region and demand immediate and effective intervention from the Security Council given its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.”

It also warned of the accelerated pace of Israeli settlement expansion and the daily crimes and assaults committed by the Israeli army and settler militias against Palestinians in the West Bank.

It urged the Security Council to assume its responsibilities in imposing an immediate end to the Israeli hostilities against the Palestinian people and ensure the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.

It stressed the need for respecting the legal and historic standing of the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem.

Furthermore, it called on all countries to meet their responsibilities in line with international law to refrain from offering any form of aid or support to Israel that would help prolong the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, encourage impunity and allow it to continue its blatant crimes and violations of international law and UN resolutions.



Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
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Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), launched in 2023, will define the future of connectivity in all forms for centuries to come and will become the key catalyst of commerce, connectivity and growth in the entire region.

“It can be the new Silk Route of the 21st century that will bring benefit to the generations to come,” Modi said in an interview with Arab News ahead of his third visit to Saudi Arabia since 2016.

The PM is traveling on Tuesday to the Kingdom, where he will hold talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on commercial and investment relations in addition to the energy sector.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbor, a trusted friend and a strategic ally,” Modi said, emphasizing how bilateral relations had expanded significantly since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.

The PM said India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together — for peace, progress and prosperity, “not just for our people, but for the entire world.”

“We consider Saudi Arabia as a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region,” Modi affirmed.

The PM said he sees several complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047 initiative).

Modi said trade between the two countries had grown even amid global challenges, with energy, agriculture and fertilizers as key sectors, noting that the two countries are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.

He stressed that Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections, which is boosting the investment partnership, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and fertilizers.

Energy has been an important pillar of Saudi Arabia and India’s economic partnership, Modi continued.

Both countries are exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals and can work toward innovative solutions for future energy needs, he added.

According to the Prime Minister, Indian companies have maintained a strong presence across various sectors in Saudi Arabia and are playing a crucial role in the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.

At the same time, he invited Saudi companies to take advantage of the remarkable opportunities in India as part of the Viksit Bharat journey, by participating in the growth of India’s next-generation infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, utilities, innovation, start-ups and “blue economy” sectors.

At the security level, Modi said India and Saudi Arabia have seen steady progress in security cooperation.

“This includes areas such as counterterrorism, combating extremism, disrupting terror financing and tackling drug trafficking. We are also exploring new frontiers of cooperation in cybersecurity, recognizing its growing importance in today’s interconnected world,” he said.

Concerning bilateral relations between the leaderships of both countries, Modi praised Crown Prince Mohammed’s leadership, calling him “a strong advocate of our bilateral ties.

“Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable,” he said.

At the cultural level, Modi said growing cultural connect between Saudi Arabia and India is indicative of the understanding and appreciation for each other.

“The 2.7 million vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. I commend them for not only preserving their values and traditions, but also promoting them,” he remarked.

As far as religious tourism is concerned, Modi said India has a large Muslim population that visits the Kingdom each year for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage. “We are grateful to the Saudi leadership for the continued assistance provided to Indian pilgrims,” he stressed.