OIC Endorses Arab League Proposal for Gaza Reconstruction Amid Controversy

The OIC endorsed an Arab League counter-proposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, promoting reconstruction under Palestinian Authority. This includes a two-state solution, condemning plans for Palestinian displacement. A trust fund for Gaza’s reconstruction was established, aiming for international support, while Syria’s readmission into the OIC signals a step towards regional unity.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, endorsing the Arab League’s counter-proposal to President Donald Trump’s controversial plan regarding Gaza. This meeting occurred three days after the Arab League ratified Trump’s proposal in Cairo. The alternative aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip and is designed to operate under the Palestinian Authority’s future administration.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reported that the Egyptian plan has now acquired the status of an Arab-Islamic plan. He deemed this development as “very positive,” indicating support from both Egyptian and Sudanese ministers. Trump’s original suggestion of displacing Palestinian residents triggered widespread international condemnation.

Cameroonian Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella, chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers, noted the urgency of the meeting, citing new tensions surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, specifically regarding potential Palestinian displacement. He advocated for a multilateral approach leading to a final conflict resolution through a two-state solution.

Mamadou Tangara, the Gambian foreign minister, fiercely criticized plans to displace Palestinians, calling them “provocative, brutal and inhumane.” He emphasized the need for the international community to foster a durable ceasefire that would encourage Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Ibrahim Taha expressed his endorsement of the reconstruction efforts for Gaza while maintaining that the Palestinian people have the undeniable right to their land. He urged for coordinated efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid and allow displaced individuals to return home.

At the recent summit in Cairo, the Arab League announced the creation of a trust fund dedicated to Gaza’s reconstruction, appealing for international support. Abdelatty stressed the plan’s goal of achieving wider international acceptance, aiming for adoption by various international entities, including the EU.

The counter-proposal notably lacks provisions for Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, and has faced rejections from both the United States and Israel, which criticized it for not aligning with their expectations. However, Trump’s Middle East envoy referred to it as a “good-faith first step.”

Egypt’s efforts to gain support for this proposal are indicative of a united Arab position against Trump’s plan, which aims to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Additionally, the OIC’s decision to readmit Syria marks a significant step toward its integration back into regional affairs, as indicated by statements from the Syrian foreign ministry.

The recent emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation underscored a collective Arab resistance against the controversial U.S. proposal regarding Gaza. The endorsed Egyptian alternative focuses on rebuilding Gaza under the Palestinian Authority while emphasizing peaceful coexistence through a two-state solution. Furthermore, the establishment of a trust fund for reconstruction illustrated the commitment to securing international support. The reinstatement of Syria within the OIC reflects a broader effort for regional reconciliation and unity regarding the Palestinian issue.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com