Jeddah, September 28 (QNA) - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned Israel's establishment and expansion of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stressing that the settlements have no legal basis and constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
In a statement, the OIC said the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its advisory opinions issued in 2004 and 2024, affirmed the illegality of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In its 2024 advisory opinion, the Court stated that Israel must immediately cease all new settlement activity, evacuate all settlers and bring its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to an end as rapidly as possible. UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) also affirmed that the establishment of settlements constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
The OIC called on states not to recognize as legal the situation resulting from Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to provide any aid or assistance that would help sustain it. It also urged states to take the necessary measures to ensure that companies under their jurisdiction neither contribute to nor benefit from settlement activities.
The organization further called on the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms to continue efforts to ensure compliance with international law and accountability for violations thereof.
The OIC reaffirmed its steadfast support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (QNA)