Maldives condemns Israeli West Bank land move at OIC, calls for concrete action
The Maldives has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to convert land in the occupied West Bank into so-called “state property,” describing the move as a serious violation of international law and a threat to prospects for peace.
Speaking at the Extraordinary Open-Ended Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel said the decision seeks to impose “an illegal reality on the ground” by expanding settlements and deepening annexation.
Addressing delegates during the holy month of Ramadan, Khaleel said it was deeply concerning that Palestinians continue to endure occupation and dispossession even during a time that symbolises compassion and justice.
While we fast and pray, their land is being confiscated in the occupied West Bank under the label of ‘state property
He stated
He stressed that such actions clearly violate international law, undermine peace efforts, and deny Palestinians their fundamental rights.
Let us be clear: Palestinian lands belong to Palestinians
Minister Khaleel stated
adding that decades of settlement expansion have led to demolished homes, displaced communities, and the systematic erosion of Palestinian rights.
The Minister said the Maldives strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s decision to convert land into so-called ‘state property, describing it as a continuation of illegal settlement policies.
Reaffirming the Maldives’ longstanding position, Khaleel emphasised that a lasting solution can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Palestinian people have endured decades of occupation and denial of their fundamental rights, yet their resilience remains unbroken. Their right to self-determination is non-negotiable and their homeland is not for sale,
He added
Khaleel further outlined the Maldives’ ongoing efforts to advocate for Palestinian rights at the International Court of Justice and the United Nations, as well as through domestic measures and humanitarian support, including assistance to UNRWA.
Calling for collective action among OIC member states, he urged the Islamic world to move beyond statements and pursue “concrete actions” in support of Palestine.
The Maldives will not waver in its support. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people – to freedom, to sovereignty, and to living in dignity, peace, and security on their own land
He concluded
Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank has been accompanied by significant humanitarian consequences.
According to recent figures from Gaza’s health authorities, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 72,000 Palestinians since the start of the genocide in October 2023, with more than 170,000 injured.
Many civilians are reported to remain trapped under rubble and without adequate access to essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis even as intermittent ceasefire agreements struggle to hold.
Advertisement
