Pakistan asks Muslim world to overcome differences in face of US-Israel alliance

• Abbasi says Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital only roadmap
• Calls for collective efforts to rid Muslim world of oppression
• Asif calls US Jerusalem decision a death to two-state solution

ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the Muslim nations of the world have not given concrete shape to their expressions of solidarity and unity with the oppressed Muslim states, including Palestine and Kashmir.

Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit on Wednesday, called by the Turkish president in his capacity as the chair of the OIC, in Istanbul, to ponder over the US decision of declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the premier said, “The Muslim world needs serious introspection; we need to overcome our differences in the face of US-Israel alliance to deprive Palestinians of their due rights.”

Committing Pakistan to the cause of the Islamic conference, he said Muslims need a concerted programme and common collaborative action, to build on their strength in order to stand up for the common causes.

The prime minister, while urging the US to rescind the decision, stated, “On behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan, I wish to reiterate our strong condemnation of this decision and I call upon international community to cash the opportunity of upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law [by resisting this callous decision].”

Addressing the heads of Muslim states in the wake of the decision, Prime Minister Abbasi remarked, “Pakistan’s parliament echoed with pro-Palestine sentiments [on the day of the decision] and it stands with Palestinians’ just struggle for a separate homeland.”

Pakistan renewed its call for the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian state, on the basis of international parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Jerusalem as its capital, he told the participants.

Seeking United Nation’s intervention, PM Abbasi said, “Pakistan calls upon the UN Security Council to play its role as envisaged under the UN Charter.”

However, he also questioned the implementations of United Nation’s resolutions pertaining to struggling Muslim nations, saying, “The world is witness to a similar pattern of tragedy both in scope and scale. For 70 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to illegal Indian occupation and the blatant violation of human rights, including the right to the self-determination.”

“UN resolutions continue to be defied and the just struggle for freedom conveniently branded as terrorism,” he added.

Calling for unity in the face of the decision, the prime minister said Muslim nations need to unanimously reject the decision, accelerate their efforts in building a strong block to safeguard the common interests.

Elaborating on the response to the situation, the prime minister said the Muslim nationhood cannot stand by silently and accept “this as fate” of the Islamic world.

“What should be our response: Should we accept this as fate?” he echoed.

Urging fellow members for lasting solidarity with the cause, he said, “We must overcome our political differences”, and hoping these few demonstrations of rage will not dissipate in passive acceptance of the status quo.

Building on the fruits of worldwide protests, the premier recommended that the OIC decisions regarding economic actions against the Israeli occupational forces must be followed up upon to change its behaviour, followed by strong diplomatic measures.

“If the UN security council is unable to respond, we should garner support in the UN General Assembly,” he suggested.

“Secondly, [we should] follow up on the OIC’s decisions on economic actions that can change the behaviour of occupying forces. Thirdly, seek the International Court of Justice’s advisory decision on the current move.”

“Pakistan calls upon the UN Security Council to play its role as described under the UN Charter. Its credibility will be questioned if it does not live up to its role of maintaining international peace and security,” PM Abbasi concluded.

US DECISION DAMAGES TWO-STATE SOLUTION: In a meeting of Muslim nations’ foreign ministers prior to the summit, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital undermines its role as an honest broker in the Middle East peace process.

Addressing the meeting of the OIC ministers, Asif said if the UN Security Council was unable to act then OIC should call for a UN General Assembly emergency session to discuss the situation arising out of the US decision.

“The US decision is contrary to international legality,” he was quoted as saying by Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump recognised the disputed city as Israel’s capital — a historic decision that overturns decades of American policy and risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East.

Pakistan had strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, voicing its concern “over the implications of this decision for international peace and security, especially in the Middle East”, according to a Foreign Office statement.