JEDDAH: Malaysia wants the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take firmer action against Israel, including embargoes, boycotts and sanctions, over its atrocities against Palestinians, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
He said the OIC must strengthen its role as the collective voice of Muslim countries and ensure its resolutions lead to concrete action instead of remaining statements.
“We want to exert pressure on Israel through embargoes, boycotts or any form of sanctions against the Zionist regime.
“The atrocities they have committed and their stubbornness in violating humanitarian law and international law cannot be ignored,” he said yesterday.
Mohamad is leading the Malaysian delegation to an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers here to discuss the latest developments in Palestine.
He said Malaysia wanted the OIC and Arab League to coordinate their actions ahead of next month’s UN General Assembly to apply pressure on Israel, reported Bernama.
He said measures could include restrictions on weapons supplied to Israel.
“Systematic, integrated pressure must be exerted by OIC and Arab League countries. If possible, we want sanctions imposed on Israel so that no country can send weapons and supplies used to kill and commit atrocities against the Palestinian people.”
Mohamad called for diplomatic pressure on Israel to accept the US ceasefire plan, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and open the Rafah crossing, particularly for food and medical supplies.
He noted that several European countries had prevented ships carrying military equipment from docking at their ports, while Malaysia had long maintained such a stance.
Mohamad said an embargo would be more effective if supported internationally and decided through the UN General Assembly, followed by approval by the UN Security Council.
The meeting agreed to appoint Mauritania’s Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the new OIC secretary-general.
