Pak, Saudi agree to convene OIC FMs meeting over Gaza

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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to convene an Extraordinary Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting of Foreign Ministers in response to “provocative statements” made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Palestine.

It was decided during a phone call between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

“Strongly condemning Israeli prime minister’s irresponsible and provocative remarks, the DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as unflinching support to the Palestinian cause,” the foreign office said in a statement.

The Saudi FM thanked the DPM for Pakistan’s “consistent and time-tested” support to the “sanctity and inviolability” of the Kingdom.

The two leaders agreed to “urgently convene” an Extraordinary OIC meeting of Foreign Ministers to discuss the developments relating to Gaza.

The reaction comes after Netanyahu on Thursday responded to an interviewer on pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 who mistakenly said “Saudi state” instead of “Palestinian state”, before correcting himself.

Dar, who is also the deputy prime minister, also spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday.

“The two ministers agreed to support the convening of an Extraordinary OIC Ministerial meeting to deliberate upon this urgent and burning issue. They further agreed to maintain close contact in the days ahead,” it said.

The foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s “steadfast commitment and support” to the Palestinian people and for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He expressed Pakistan’s “grave concern” at the proposal calling for displacement of Palestinian people and reiterated that Palestinian land belongs to the people of Palestine.

In an earlier statement by the Saudi foreign ministry, Saudi Arabia affirmed its categorical rejection of remarks by Netanyahu.

Egypt and Jordan also condemned the Israeli suggestions, with Cairo deeming the idea as a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty”.

The kingdom said it valued “brotherly” states’ rejection of Netanyahu’s remarks.

“This occupying extremist mindset does not comprehend what the Palestinian territory means for the brotherly people of Palestine and its conscientious, historical and legal association with that land,” it said.

Discussions of the fate of Palestinians in Gaza have been upended by Tuesday’s shock proposal from President Donald Trump that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” from Israel and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling Palestinians elsewhere. - Aaj English TV Pakistan