Bangladesh has unequivocally condemned the recent Israeli legislation on land purchase, which aims at unlawfully annexing the occupied Palestinian territory.
In his address to the Open-Ended OIC Executive Committee Meeting at the Level of Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said that this action by Israel is designed to alter the legal and demographic character of the Palestinian lands, including the Al Quds Al Sharif, according to a statement of the foreign ministry.
Khalilur expressed his grave concern over the fact that the Israeli decision to ease land purchase and open land registries in the West Bank to public scrutiny exposes the Palestinian landowners to multiple forms of intimidation and harassment.
He noted that these actions are clearly in breach of relevant international law and undermine the very foundations of a just and lasting social order.
The foreign minister categorically stated that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State following the two-State formula under 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, can offer a sustainable solution to this long-protracted crisis.
He outright rejected the land-related legislation of Israel and demanded the protection of the due land rights of the Palestinians.
He also demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an unconditional and unhindered access of the international aid workers and humanitarian support providers to the affected men, women and children in the Strip.
Khalilur conveyed the Ramadan greetings from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Muslim Ummah and stated that the newly elected democratic government in Bangladesh looks forward to closely working with the OIC Member States.
On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, the foreign minister held bilateral talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar; the Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie, Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya, and Saudi Arabia Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A Elkhereiji.
The foreign minister shared with the leaders the visions and work programmes of the government particularly with regard to foreign policy, foreign trade and investment, resolution of the Rohingya issue and improving the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat.
They also expressed strong support to Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly.
He invited the dignitaries to pay a visit to Bangladesh at their convenience.