DUBAI – A statement by the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation hewed closely to previous ones issued by the Saudi-based group, including backing the decades-old call for Palestinians to have their own nation with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Associated Press report that a recent normalization deals between Israel and some nations in the group — as well as their own concerns about Hamas — saw diplomats at points instead criticize each other.
1. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said The massacre of Palestinian children today follows the purported normalization.
“This criminal and genocidal regime has once again proven that friendly gestures only aggravate its atrocities,” He said.
2. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation statement called on Israel to respect Muslims’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, as well as stop settlers from forcibly evicting Palestinian families from their homes.
“The plight of the Palestinian people is the bleeding wound of the Islamic world today,” He add.
3. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu joined Zarif in criticizing the normalization, though Israel maintains diplomatic ties with Ankara. He said there are a few who have lost their moral compass and voiced support for Israel.
“If there are half-hearted statements within our own family, how could we criticize others? Who will take our words seriously?” He said.
