OIC Jeddah Meeting Stresses Jerusalem Is a ‘Red Line’

The OIC held an extraordinary meeting for its executive committee in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The OIC held an extraordinary meeting for its executive committee in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

OIC Jeddah Meeting Stresses Jerusalem Is a ‘Red Line’

The OIC held an extraordinary meeting for its executive committee in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The OIC held an extraordinary meeting for its executive committee in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) re-affirmed its rejection of Israel's attempts to change the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem City.

In an extraordinary meeting for the OIC executive committee in Jeddah, the group stressed that Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are a "red line" for the Muslim nation.

It released a final communique emphasizing that a comprehensive and fair peace will be only achieved by ending the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestine state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The conferees stated that all measures taken by Israel - as an illegitimate occupation power - to impose its laws on Jerusalem are null and void.

They called on the international community to respect international resolutions on Jerusalem, with the aim of pressing Israel to end its illegal occupation of the land of the State of Palestine occupied in 1967.

They addressed a number of international actors, expressing the organization's rejection and condemnation of Israeli attempts to impose measures on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and demanded urgent action from the international community to put an end to the Israeli violations against the holy places.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia condemned the repeated attacks and Israeli provocative violations and called on the international community to act effectively.

Secretary-General of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha reiterated the organization’s total commitment and support for the right of the Palestinian people to sovereignty over their occupied land.

He also underlined the religious and spiritual centrality of the city and the eternal connection of Muslims across the world to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the OIC, Saleh bin Hamad Suhaibani delivered a statement, saying Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Salman bin Abdulaziz had declared during his presidency of the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran that “Palestine is our first cause and Palestine and its people are in the conscience of Arab and Muslims.”

“This will continue to be so until the brotherly Palestinian people get all their legitimate rights, notably the establishment of the State of Palestine. The cause of Palestine is the essential pillar of the OIC work and the focus of our attention until the brotherly people of Palestine enjoy all their rights guaranteed by international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.”

Suhaibani stated that while Saudi Arabia strongly condemns and denounces the repeated and provocative Israeli onslaught and aggression against worshippers in at Al-Aqsa Mosque, it persistently calls on the international community to act effectively to assume its role in holding Israeli forces fully responsible for those crimes and violations and their negative repercussion on reviving the peace process.



Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
TT
20

Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.