Maldives condemns Israel's crimes against Palestinian people in OIC Summit

At the extraordinary summit organized by Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states in Istanbul on May 18 to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, Maldives condemned the violence that had taken place in the days prior against Palestinian peaceful protesters in Gaza.

Speaking at the 7th Extraordinary Summit Conference, Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim voiced concerns regarding Israel’s disproportionate use of force against civilians that has gone unimpeded too frequently.

Additionally Asim stated that such actions undermine the United Nations and directly negates the global efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also strongly objected to Israeli authorities and Israeli soldiers 'pointing guns at defenseless Palestinians' protesting to denounce the relocation of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem.

Furthermore, the state minister also said that Israeli officials treated the protestors brutality despite the rallies remaining peaceful. While stating that the Maldives is against the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, Asim urged other member states of OIC to actively engage with countries that are considering moving their diplomatic missions to Jerusalem, with a view to dissuade them from doing so.

The Minister also underlined the Maldives’ unequivocal support to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Similarly, speaking at the Special Session held on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Dr Hala Hameed, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva condemned the attacks by Israel on unarmed Palestinian civilians who were peacefully protesting to claim their sovereign right to return to their lands that Israel had occupied and denied them for decades.