Saudi Official Criticizes Israeli Occupation Forces At OIC Foreign Ministers Meet

Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El Khereiji attended the 50th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Representing Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, El Khereiji participated in discussions centred on enhancing intra-OIC transport and communication infrastructure to combat poverty and insecurity.

El Khereiji condemned the actions of Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians, noting their disregard for international laws and resolutions. He stated, "The Israeli occupation forces disregard international resolutions and laws, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, most of whom are women, children, and innocent civilians." He also criticised the lack of international accountability and the United Nations Security Council's failure to take deterrent actions.

The vice minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts with other countries to stop Israeli aggression. He praised European countries' recognition of Palestine and mentioned the establishment of legal and media monitoring units to document Israeli violations. These initiatives were part of a decision made at the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh.

El Khereiji emphasised Saudi Arabia's ongoing humanitarian aid to Gaza through a national donation campaign led by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief). Donations have exceeded $185 million, showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting civilians in Gaza.

Regarding Yemen, he reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for resolving the crisis there. The Kingdom is pursuing peace, security, and stability while warning against escalation in the Red Sea region due to its potential impact on international shipping routes and global trade.

Regional Stability Initiatives

On Sudan, El Khereiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's stance on maintaining Sudan's security and stability. He urged all parties involved in the Sudanese crisis to return to dialogue to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

The vice minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to humanitarian causes and development in friendly countries. This commitment aims at fostering growth and prosperity both regionally and globally.

Upcoming Conferences

El Khereiji invited member states, institutions, and international donor partners to participate in the OIC Donors Conference hosted by Saudi Arabia in October. Additionally, he announced a joint conference with the Republic of Maldives titled 'Enhancing Integrity in the Tourism Sector,' aimed at boosting Islamic cooperation. He encouraged anti-corruption and tourism authorities from OIC member states to join this initiative.

In his speech, El Khereiji underscored OIC’s significant role since its inception in addressing Islamic issues across various fields. He stressed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to collaborative action on matters affecting the Islamic community at multiple levels. This includes expanding joint efforts for a better future for Muslim populations worldwide.

With inputs from SPA