OIC COMMITTEE CONDEMNS ISRAEL'S ILLEGAL COLONISATION ACTIVITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Members of the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) Committee on Palestine have condemned the ongoing illegal
colonisation activities by Israel, particularly in and around Occupied East
Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif).

The committe, comprising Guinea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal and
the OIC secretary-general, also expressed serious concern over the continuing
inhumane Israeli blockade and dire humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian
civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The remarks were contained in a statement by the OIC Ministerial Committee
on Palestine on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem. The committee had presided over the issue at the ministerial
level at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept 28.

In the statement, which was made available to Bernama by the Palestinian
embassy here today, the committee also strongly condemned the attacks by the
Israeli occupying forces, including extremist settlers, against Palestinian
civilians and worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound
in Occupied East Jerusalem which occurred on Sept 27.

The committee reiterated its condemnation of Israel's persistent aggression
against Islamic and Christian holy places in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and against the
Palestinian inhabitants of the Holy City, which continued to cause rising
tensions and mounting difficulties for the Palestinians.

It expressed grave concern and condemned in particular Israel's illegal and
intensifying colonisation measures, including its ongoing settlement activities,
transfer of more Israeli settlers and construction of the Wall in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, especially in and around the Holy City.

The ministerial statement strongly criticised Israel's escalating practice
of demolition of Palestinian homes, eviction of Palestinian families from the
City and confiscation of more Palestinian land, homes and properties as well as
the imposition of severe restrictions to movement that have isolated the City
from the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

It called for the immediate cessation of all such illegal Israeli activities
in accordance with the occupying power's obligations under international law and
in accordance with commitments and obligations under the Quartet Roadmap, and in
respect of the firm international consensus in this regard.

The roadmap for peace is a plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
proposed by a "quartet" of international entities, namely the United States, the
European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

They also urged the international community, particularly the Security
Council, to take urgent action to completely stop all illegal Israeli measures
and actions aimed at changing the demographic composition, character,
geographical nature and legal status of the Holy City.

It urged the 57-member OIC States to provide urgent material support to the
Palestinian people and their institutions in Occupied East Jerusalem, so as to
protect the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and support the steadfastness of its
people and preserve the Arab, Islamic and civilisational character of the Holy
City.

The Committee called upon the international community to intensify and
accelerate efforts aimed at achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace
settlement on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms
of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace
Initiative and the Roadmap.
-- BERNAMA