JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday adopted a communique at an emergency open-ended meeting of its Executive Committee at the level of foreign ministers, condemning Israel’s efforts to impose an “illegal occupation reality” and expand settlement and annexation policies in the occupied Palestinian territory.The meeting, held at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah on Feb. 26, 2026, was convened at the request of the State of Palestine to address Israel’s recent announcements concerning the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef.In the communique, the ministers reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Shareef to the Islamic Ummah and reiterated support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the right of return in accordance with UN Resolution 194.The meeting strongly condemned the hostile decisions and measures by Israel aimed at expanding control and deepening annexation policies in the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef, declaring such decisions “null and void” and calling for their immediate rescission.It rejected any form of annexation and denounced settlement expansion, land confiscation, forced displacement and demographic changes in the territory occupied since 1967.The ministers also condemned ongoing Israeli actions at the Ibrahimi Mosque and rejected any attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.The communique affirmed that the entire 144,000-square-meter compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and is under the custodianship of King Abdullah II of Jordan, with the Al-Quds Waqf Department as the sole authority responsible for its administration.The meeting further criticized recent statements attributed to the US ambassador to Israel and the decision by the US Embassy in Jerusalem to provide consular services to settlers in illegal settlements, calling such measures a violation of international law, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.The OIC ministers called for a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, facilitation of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, and support for the State of Palestine in assuming its responsibilities across all Palestinian territories.They stressed the unity and integrity of the West Bank, including East Al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip as one indivisible geographical and political unit.The communique urged the international community, particularly the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, to assume their responsibilities by rejecting and condemning Israeli measures and compelling Israel to cease actions deemed illegal under international law.It also called on member states to consider political and legal measures, including recourse to international courts, and to exert pressure through diplomatic and economic means.The meeting condemned what it described as attacks against UN agencies operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly UNRWA, and called for sustained political, legal and financial support for the agency.In a broader regional context, the ministers expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East, including threats of the use of force against Iran and the buildup of military forces. They reaffirmed that threats or use of force against a sovereign state violate international law and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and emphasized dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes as the only path to sustainable peace and security.The meeting welcomed recent diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States and expressed support for efforts aimed at reducing tensions, while appreciating the role of countries including Oman, Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in facilitating dialogue.The Secretary-General of the OIC was tasked with following up on the implementation of the communique and reporting to the next meeting of foreign ministers.JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday adopted a communique at an emergency open-ended meeting of its Executive Committee at the level of foreign ministers, condemning Israel’s efforts to impose an “illegal occupation reality” and expand settlement and annexation policies in the occupied Palestinian territory.The meeting, held at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah on Feb. 26, 2026, was convened at the request of the State of Palestine to address Israel’s recent announcements concerning the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef.In the communique, the ministers reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Shareef to the Islamic Ummah and reiterated support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the right of return in accordance with UN Resolution 194.The meeting strongly condemned the hostile decisions and measures by Israel aimed at expanding control and deepening annexation policies in the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef, declaring such decisions “null and void” and calling for their immediate rescission.It rejected any form of annexation and denounced settlement expansion, land confiscation, forced displacement and demographic changes in the territory occupied since 1967.The ministers also condemned ongoing Israeli actions at the Ibrahimi Mosque and rejected any attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.The communique affirmed that the entire 144,000-square-meter compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and is under the custodianship of King Abdullah II of Jordan, with the Al-Quds Waqf Department as the sole authority responsible for its administration.The meeting further criticized recent statements attributed to the US ambassador to Israel and the decision by the US Embassy in Jerusalem to provide consular services to settlers in illegal settlements, calling such measures a violation of international law, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.The OIC ministers called for a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, facilitation of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, and support for the State of Palestine in assuming its responsibilities across all Palestinian territories.They stressed the unity and integrity of the West Bank, including East Al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip as one indivisible geographical and political unit.The communique urged the international community, particularly the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, to assume their responsibilities by rejecting and condemning Israeli measures and compelling Israel to cease actions deemed illegal under international law.It also called on member states to consider political and legal measures, including recourse to international courts, and to exert pressure through diplomatic and economic means.The meeting condemned what it described as attacks against UN agencies operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly UNRWA, and called for sustained political, legal and financial support for the agency.In a broader regional context, the ministers expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East, including threats of the use of force against Iran and the buildup of military forces. They reaffirmed that threats or use of force against a sovereign state violate international law and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and emphasized dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes as the only path to sustainable peace and security.The meeting welcomed recent diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States and expressed support for efforts aimed at reducing tensions, while appreciating the role of countries including Oman, Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in facilitating dialogue.The Secretary-General of the OIC was tasked with following up on the implementation of the communique and reporting to the next meeting of foreign ministers.
