Minister Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has said, the commitment of Maldives to the Palestinian cause is unshakable. The Foreign Minister made this remark in his statement delivered at the Emergency Foreign Ministerial Conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which was held today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In his statement, the Minister joined other Member States of the OIC in strongly condemning the recent announcement made by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu concerning his intention to annex the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, in the event that he wins the upcoming elections in Israel.
Minister Shahid also reiterated Maldives strong support for Palestinian statehood, to realise the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and oppose any illegal settlement activity that takes place in the occupied territories, as well as to move countries’ diplomatic posts to the Holy City of Jerusalem.
The Foreign Minister announced, Maldives will extend its full support to Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, and will vote accordingly on a number of resolutions articulating this support.
The meeting was held upon request by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to address the Israeli escalations and take the required urgent political and legal steps to face up to the aggressive Israeli stand. The meeting also aimed to rally the Islamic countries’ efforts through an emergency action plan in the face of this aggressive declaration and to confront it through all possible courses.
Minister was accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel.