Foreign Minister Urges OIC to Take Decisive Action for Palestinian Statehood

Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has called on Muslim nations to transition from rhetoric to decisive action in support of Palestine, demanding greater accountability for Israel's violations of international law. Addressing an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Minister Iruthisham strongly condemned the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements and the annexation of Palestinian territories. She expressed deep concern over the lack of meaningful global efforts to hold Israel accountable, urging OIC member states to respond with a unified and more forceful approach. According to the Minister, the collective response of the member states must reflect a shared commitment to the values of the Muslim Ummah. She emphasized that the Maldives remains a steadfast advocate for the Palestinian people's pursuit of justice and their legitimate rights to self-determination. Minister Iruthisham reaffirmed the Maldives' position on the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital. She further called for the immediate implementation of concrete steps outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, identifying it as the primary pathway toward achieving a lasting peace in the region. This high-level summit marked Minister Iruthisham's first official engagement with the OIC since assuming her role as Foreign Minister. On the sidelines of the meeting, she conducted bilateral discussions with several OIC foreign ministers to strengthen diplomatic ties and reaffirm the Maldives' commitment to the organization. The OIC, comprising 57 member states, is one of the most prominent international bodies advocating for Palestinian statehood. The Maldives has been an active member of the organization since 1976, consistently utilizing the forum to champion the rights of oppressed populations in the Muslim world.