Jeddah, December 21, 2024 – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s approval of a resolution that requests the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion regarding Israel’s obligations in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, international organizations, and third-party states operating in the occupied Palestinian territories. The resolution, which received overwhelming support from UN member states, is a significant step in addressing the ongoing violations of international law in the Palestinian territories under Israeli occupation.
In a statement, the OIC expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Kingdom of Norway, alongside the other countries that co-sponsored and supported the draft resolution. The resolution calls for the ICJ to examine Israel’s actions concerning the presence, operations, and immunities of international bodies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), as well as other organizations operating in the region. The OIC emphasized that the Israeli measures, including legislation that affects the operational autonomy of these organizations in the occupied Palestinian territories, are a direct violation of the United Nations Charter and its relevant resolutions.
The OIC further condemned Israel's actions, which it sees as an attempt to deprive the Palestinian people of critical humanitarian assistance, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. “These actions by the Israeli occupation deprive the Palestinian people of essential assistance and deepen the suffering of millions of refugees and civilians in the occupied territories,” the OIC stated. The organization stressed that these measures represent a systematic effort by Israel to undermine international support for the Palestinian cause and deny Palestinian refugees the aid they so desperately need.
In addition to welcoming the resolution on the advisory opinion, the OIC also expressed support for the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution affirming the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people over their natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan. This resolution underscores the international community’s recognition of the Palestinians' right to control and benefit from their natural resources, which are vital for their economic survival and development.
The OIC, in its statement, reiterated its strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing occupation and the settlement policies that violate international law and the rights of Palestinians. The organization called on all states, international organizations, and UN agencies to redouble their efforts toward ending the Israeli occupation and ensuring the full realization of Palestinian rights. These include the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the borders prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
The approval of these resolutions marks a significant moment in the international diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The OIC’s support for these initiatives reflects a broader call for global action to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to support the Palestinian people in their struggle for justice, freedom, and the right to govern their own lands. The organization continues to urge the international community to pressure Israel to comply with international law and UN resolutions, ensuring the protection of Palestinian rights and facilitating the eventual establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region.
As the situation in Palestine remains one of the most pressing global humanitarian issues, the OIC’s renewed calls for action and its support for international legal measures underscore the urgency of addressing the systemic violations taking place in the occupied territories. By advocating for the advisory opinion from the ICJ and pushing for the recognition of Palestinian sovereignty over its natural resources, the OIC aims to further isolate Israel diplomatically and legally, while strengthening international solidarity with the Palestinian people.