- Brave words but no action plan
It was like it has always been with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC declared Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “irresponsible, null and void”. Erdogan called Israel an “occupying state” and a ‘terror state’. Mahmud Abbas called Trump’s announcement a “crime”. “Our expressions of solidarity need concrete shape”, maintained Prime Miniseter Khaqan Abbasi without spelling out concrete measures because perhaps he wasn’t himself convinced of their feasibility. It appears that for the time being the anger of the street protests is not going to be translated into joint action by the Muslim countries.
Most of the Arab kings and sheikhs consider Iran an existential threat and look at Israel as a potential ally. Any demand for democratic rights by sections of population is seen as an act of terrorism inspired by their Shi’a enemy. Hezbollah is considered an Iranian proxy and Hamas a wing of the Islamic Brotherhood. The reversal of Obama’s policy towards Iran under Trump has made the Gulf monarchs and arbitrary rulers like Egypt’s General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi look at Trump as a guardian angel. While still reluctant to publicly establish ties with Tel Aviv, they are keen to import high-tech goods and armaments from Israel. Israeli exports diverted through a third country continue to pour into the Arab world.
This explains the little importance given to the OIC’s Istanbul moot by many Arab rulers. The King of Jordan was the only Arab monarch to attend the moot. Saudi Arabia, the host of the OIC headquarters, was represented by minister for religious affairs. The Gulf sheikhs also did not care to attend and like Egypt were represented by lower level officials.
Noting the similarities between Palestine and Kashmir, PM Abbasi bewailed that the Muslim world has not given concrete shape to its expressions of solidarity and unity. As things stand both the Palestinians and Kashmiris will have to depend on themselves for their liberation and expect little more than political and moral support from the outside word including the OIC countries.
