OIC Welcomes Measures by UK, Canada, and 10 European Countries Against Israeli Settlements
Jeddah, September 9 (KUNA) -- The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, expressed his welcome and support today, Wednesday, for the measures taken by the United Kingdom, Canada, and ten European countries to impose restrictions and sanctions on trade with Israel’s “illegal” settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the Secretary-General considered these measures an important step that reflects a commitment to the principles of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and contributes to preserving the two-state solution. He warned of the danger of the continued and escalating pace of organized terrorism carried out by extremist settlers, as well as the policies of forced displacement and colonial settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967, particularly what is known as “Settlement Plan 1E” in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
He called for the activation of all available legal mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for crimes and violations against the Palestinian people under international criminal law. He also renewed his call on all countries to take decisive stances and similar practical measures to ensure the complete cessation of the illegal colonial settlement policy.
He affirmed the Organisation’s commitment to enhancing coordination with all international partners in order to mobilize further political, legal, and economic support necessary to end the Israeli settlement and occupation, and to implement the New York Declaration on the two-state solution, thereby enabling the Palestinian people to realize the sovereignty of their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom announced in a joint statement yesterday, Tuesday, their countries’ intention to impose trade restrictions and bans on goods coming from the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
This prominent collective move was driven by the significant escalation in settler violence and settlement expansion, which these countries view as directly undermining the prospects of achieving a two-state solution. (End) F.N. / A.M.S.
