Jeddah, March 8, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has condemned any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, calling it a grave violation of international law, ethnic cleansing, and a war crime.
Speaking at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ Extraordinary Session in Jeddah, Dar urged the Muslim world to take a firm and united stance against any such move.
“The OIC must unequivocally oppose and prevent any effort to relocate Palestinians from their homeland, whether through direct coercion or under the guise of humanitarian aid and reconstruction,” Dar asserted.
He stressed that no external force has the right to dictate Palestine’s future, emphasizing that only the Palestinian people must determine their destiny through self-determination. The OIC, he said, must reject any agenda aimed at altering the demographic makeup of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Outlining Pakistan’s position, Dar called for the full and immediate implementation of a ceasefire agreement, which includes a permanent cessation of hostilities, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access and a comprehensive reconstruction plan.
He also condemned Israel’s continued aggression in the West Bank, pointing to the destruction of refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur al-Shams, and El Far’a.
Dar urged the reversal of forced displacements, illegal land annexations, and settler violence, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 (2024) and 2334 (2016). He further insisted on upholding the legal and historical status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif/Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The foreign minister emphasized that the forced displacement of Palestinians must be recognized as a red line and called for the revival of a credible, irreversible political process toward a two-state solution, the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
“The OIC must use its collective influence to push for Palestine’s recognition as a full member of the United Nations,” Dar stated.
He also highlighted the upcoming June Conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, as a crucial step toward the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. He welcomed the Palestinian leadership’s involvement in finalizing the plan, calling it a testament to Islamic unity and solidarity.
Dar condemned the blatant violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and demanded that Israel be held accountable for its actions.
He expressed regret over the failure of the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene as mandated by the UN General Assembly last year.
Describing the scale of destruction in Gaza, Dar noted that over 48,000 innocent Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed and more than 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship, has been destroyed.
“This is not just destruction; it is an assault on an entire people’s existence. The scale of suffering demands immediate, decisive, and united action from the Muslim world,” he declared.
Dar’s powerful speech reinforced Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine and called on the OIC and the global community to take urgent action against Israeli aggression.
