Israel's crimes against humanity should not escape accountability,: Qureshi tells OIC.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a session of the Organisation 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, "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.

He said such attempts are "inexcusable" and as the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah the OIC "should work in unity to dispel this deliberately deceptive perception".

"Attempts to silence media and reporting, through tyranny, evident from Israel's horrifying air strike yesterday, bringing down a high rise building in Gaza that housed media outlets is unacceptable," he added.

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.

He assured Pakistan stands steadfast and ready as a member of the Executive Committee and the next Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers, "to join hands with other OIC Member States in any move to stop the ongoing bloodshed, and restore human dignity and human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories".

Qureshi said Pakistan is appalled by the sheer...