Assertion by 57-nation bloc says it ‘holds Israel, the unlawful occupying energy, absolutely liable for the heinous assault’.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has blamed Israel for the assault that killed Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh final week in Iran, which has vowed to retaliate.
An announcement issued after a rare assembly of the 57-member bloc on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia stated it “holds Israel, the unlawful occupying energy, absolutely liable for this heinous assault”, which it described as “a critical infringement” of Iran’s sovereignty.
The Gambia’s International Minister Mamadou Tangara, whose nation chairs OIC, stated Haniyeh’s “heinous” assassination and the continuing war in Gaza might result in a regional battle.
“The aggression and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the assassination of a political chief on its soil is an act that can not be considered in isolation,” Tangara stated.
“This heinous act serves solely to escalate the present tensions probably resulting in a wider battle that might contain the complete area.”
Iran and Palestine had known as for the OIC assembly within the Saudi coastal metropolis of Jeddah. The bloc describes itself because the collective voice of the Muslim world.
Host Saudi Arabia additionally stated Haniyeh’s assassination was a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.
The dominion’s deputy overseas minister, Waleed al-Khereiji, stated his nation rejects “any violation of the sovereignty of states or interference within the inner affairs of any nation”.
Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran final week, however the Israeli authorities has not confirmed or denied duty.
Iran has promised to retaliate, threatening “harsh punishment” for Israel. However america and different Western nations have been calling for de-escalation.
On Wednesday, US State Division spokesperson Matthew Miller stated a number of OIC members agree with Washington that escalation would solely exacerbate the persevering with crises within the area.
“We might hope that at that OIC assembly the identical factor occurs that now we have been attempting to effectuate all through the final week, which is that each one events which have a relationship with Iran impress upon Iran – the identical method that we’ve been impressing upon the federal government of Israel – that they shouldn’t take any steps to escalate the battle,” Miller stated.
He added that regional escalation might jeopardise the prospects of a ceasefire settlement in Gaza.
“The message that we’re sending to everyone seems to be: Look, that is clearly a really delicate time for the area. Tensions are excessive. We’re within the closing levels – hopefully – of a ceasefire deal,” Miller stated.
“And escalation has the potential to make each downside the area faces worse.”
Haniyeh, who was changed by Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, was main ceasefire talks for the Palestinian group, however the US has not condemned his assassination.
Late in Might, US President Joe Biden presented what he stated was a multiphased Israeli proposal to finish the warfare that may see the discharge of Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel resulting in an “enduring” ceasefire.
Washington, which has vetoed three United Nations Safety Council measures that may have known as for a ceasefire in Gaza, initially blamed Hamas squarely for failure to succeed in an settlement.
However on Wednesday, Miller stated further points and info on the bottom have come into play since Might, and there are “closing points” that each Hamas and Israel nonetheless have to comply with. He harassed that the excellent disagreements are “bridgeable”.
In his tackle on the OIC assembly, the Gambia’s Tangara urged for “sturdy peace that addresses the foundation causes of the [Israeli-Palestinian] battle”.
“It’s essential for the worldwide group to return collectively to make sure that humanitarian support reaches these in want and to work in direction of a sustainable political answer that promote peace and safety for all folks within the area,” Tangara stated.
