Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday that Israel’s crimes against humanity should not escape accountability and called for immediate steps to stop the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people and their properties.
During a virtual session of the OIC Executive Committee, he raised four points, which are reflective of Pakistan's stance on the violence by Israel against Palestinians.
According to a statement by the Foreign Office, the foreign minister said that firstly, it is imperative that the international community protect the Palestinians against the blatant and illegal use of force and flagrant violations of human rights.
"It should urgently intervene and take concerted actions to stop Israeli atrocities against civilian population in Gaza. The bombardment in Gaza must be stopped immediately," read the statement.
Secondly, it is both critical and urgent that the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council be implemented forthwith.
Thirdly Shah Mahmood said, "Israel’s crimes against humanity should not escape accountability".
"There should be no impunity for Israel’s violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva and the other various human rights Conventions," said Qureshi.
The foreign minister also regretted attempts to create a "false equivalence" between Israel, the aggressor, and Palestinians, the victims.
The foreign minister reminded the forum that OIC "owes its genesis to the Palestinian issue".
"In this hour of need, the Muslim Ummah must exhibit strong solidarity and support for their Palestinian brothers and sisters," he said.
Today, at the Emergency Meeting of the @OIC_OCI I reiterated the following:
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 16, 2021
➖Support for Palestinian cause defining principle of 🇵🇰 foreign policy
➖ Indiscriminate use of force by Israeli forces against defenceless Palestinians defies all international law. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/Z1TmegRtoI