The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military aggression against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, and has called for immediate international action to end hostilities and ensure accountability for alleged war crimes.
The resolution, adopted during an extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on March 7, 2025, was convened at the request of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Iran and Pakistan.
In the resolution, the OIC reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace based on the full withdrawal of Israel from Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. It emphasised the necessity of implementing the January 15, 2025 ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
“Israel must fully comply with the ceasefire agreement and halt all military operations in Gaza. The ongoing displacement and suffering of the Palestinian people cannot continue,” Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC Secretary-General, said.
The resolution held Israel fully responsible for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and condemned its military blockade, which has severely restricted access to food, water, medical aid, and other essentials.
The OIC warned against any Israeli attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, calling such actions a form of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. The resolution also demanded an end to illegal settlement expansions in the West Bank and the demolition of Palestinian homes.
“The Israeli occupation is engaging in blatant violations of international law, including land annexation, forced displacement, and destruction of Palestinian livelihoods,” the resolution stated. “We stand firmly against any attempts to change the demographic composition of Palestinian lands.”
The resolution also urged the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel and called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Israel must be held accountable for the destruction, mass killings, and human suffering inflicted on Palestinians, and we call on all countries to reconsider their military support for Israel and to immediately halt the supply of arms that are being used against civilians,” an OIC spokesperson said.
The resolution welcomed plans for an international conference in Cairo to coordinate the reconstruction of Gaza, urging financial and logistical support from global institutions. It also called for the creation of an international fund to assist Palestinian orphans, which is estimated to be around 40,000 children, as well as thousands of civilians who have been maimed in the conflict.
“We will not allow Gaza to be reduced to ruins while the world watches,” an OIC delegate from Saudi Arabia stated. “Immediate action is needed to rebuild, heal, and restore dignity to the Palestinian people,” the delegate added.
The OIC reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian self-determination and called on all nations to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. It also vowed to mobilize international efforts to push for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
“Justice for Palestine is long overdue. The time has come for the international community to recognize the Palestinian state and put an end to Israeli occupation once and for all,” the resolution asserted.
The extraordinary session of the OIC marks one of the strongest condemnations of Israeli policies in recent history. With growing international pressure and calls for accountability, the resolution aims to galvanize diplomatic, legal, and economic actions against Israel’s continued occupation and military aggression.
