Jerusalem: The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday warned of the severe dangers surrounding the Israeli occupation's seizure of several historical buildings, Palestinian real estate, and Islamic endowments (Awqaf) in the vicinity of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to Jordan News Agency, in an official statement, the General Secretariat emphasized that these expansionist plans form part of ongoing Judaization policies aimed at imposing new demographic and geographic realities on the ground. It noted that these actions seek to alter the identity of the Old City in occupied Jerusalem, undermine the historical and legal status of the holy sites, and obliterate the deep-rooted civilization, historical, and cultural heritage of the Palestinian people.
The OIC expressed its strong condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to approve a settlement plan that converts the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) into a museum and a headquarters for the so-called "Israeli Ministry of Security." The statement highlighted that the compound in occupied Jerusalem had been forcibly seized in direct violation of international law.
The General Secretariat stressed that the Israeli occupation holds no sovereignty over the occupied city of Jerusalem. It added that these rejected Israeli measures represent an extension of racist policies, practices, and invalid legislation designed to undermine UNRWA's existence, its pivotal role, its facilities, its staff, and its mandate as designated by the United Nations General Assembly. The OIC characterized these actions as attempts to liquidate the issue of Palestinian refugees, constituting a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, relevant UN resolutions, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The General Secretariat renewed its call to all active international parties to intervene immediately and urgently to compel the Israeli occupation to halt all ongoing crimes, violations, and assaults against the occupied city of Jerusalem, its people, its Islamic and Christian sanctities, and its historical landmarks.
Furthermore, the OIC emphasized the absolute necessity of providing protection for United Nations institutions operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, foremost among them UNRWA, and enabling them to carry out their mandate without hindrance.