RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Amidst the escalating violence in Gaza, Saudi Arabia has called for an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a grouping of 57 Muslim-majority countries. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Riyadh on November 11th to discuss the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory.
#OIC will hold an extraordinary Islamic summit at the invitation of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia, in its capacity as Chair of the current Islamic Summit, on Sunday, 28 Rabi’ul Thani 1445, corresponding to 12 November 2023, in #Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. #OICSummitOnPalestine pic.twitter.com/D7ew15CMje
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) November 6, 2023
The OIC has expressed grave concern over the rising death toll and the widespread destruction caused by the Israeli attacks. In a statement, the organization called for an immediate end to the violence and urged the international community to take action to protect Palestinian civilians.
The OIC’s call for an extraordinary meeting follows a previous meeting that was held last Sunday at Saudi Arabia’s invitation. That meeting discussed the Israeli government’s policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the ongoing blockade of Gaza, the expansion of illegal settlements, and the expropriation of Palestinian land.
In light of the unprecedented #Israeli attacks on the #Palestinian people, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (#OIC) will hold an extraordinary Islamic summit at the invitation of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in #Riyadh. #OICSummitPalestine pic.twitter.com/gvqYZnC15y
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) November 9, 2023
The OIC has repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in the occupied territories, calling them illegal and a violation of international law. The organization has also called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The OIC’s extraordinary meeting is expected to provide a platform for Muslim-majority countries to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and to call for an end to the Israeli occupation. The meeting is also likely to discuss ways to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.