Bangladesh Condemns Israeli Land Legislation at OIC Meeting

Bangladesh has strongly denounced the recent Israeli legislation concerning land acquisition, which is aimed at illegitimately incorporating the occupied Palestinian territories. During his speech at the Open-Ended OIC Executive Committee Meeting at the Level of Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman highlighted that Israel’s actions seek to change the legal and demographic nature of Palestinian lands, including Al Quds Al Sharif. He raised concerns about the Israeli decision to facilitate land purchases and make land registries in the West Bank accessible to the public, exposing Palestinian landowners to various forms of coercion and harassment. Rahman emphasized that these actions violate international law and destabilize the fundamental principles of justice and enduring social harmony. He affirmed the necessity of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the two-State model within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as a viable resolution to the prolonged crisis. The foreign minister firmly opposed Israel’s land-related laws and called for safeguarding the legitimate land rights of Palestinians. Additionally, he urged for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted access for international humanitarian aid workers to assist the affected individuals in the region. Rahman extended Ramadan wishes from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Muslim community and expressed eagerness for enhanced collaboration with OIC Member States under the new democratic government in Bangladesh. During the OIC gathering, he engaged in bilateral discussions with counterparts from Pakistan, Gambia, Palestine, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, sharing insights on Bangladesh’s foreign policy, trade, investment strategies, Rohingya crisis resolution, and OIC Secretariat enhancement efforts. The leaders expressed strong backing for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly and were invited to visit Bangladesh at their convenience.