OIC meeting in Istanbul discusses Jerusalem

The OIC officials are expected to issue a statement condemning Israeli policies against Palestinians and urging the international community to take action

Upon Turkey’s summons the Executive Committee Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in Istanbul on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Jerusalem.

“Let’s support the millions of Palestinians, who have been forced to stay under Israel’s occupation or fled abroad, with our actions, not with mere words,” Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said.

“We invite everyone who raised their voice to stop this injustice to recognize the Palestinian state,” he said.

The Israeli violations implemented at the al-Aqsa Mosque restricting entry to the Noble Sanctuary, and other holy sites in Jerusalem were discussed.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (R) and the Secretary General of the OIC Yousef Al-Othaimeen (L).

On the sidelines of the meeting, Çavuşoğlu met with the Secretary General of the OIC Yousef Al-Othaimeen.

Çavuşoğlu also met with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman.

The OIC consists of 57 member states, and was founded in 1969. The OIC officials are expected to issue a statement condemning Israeli policies against Palestinians and urging the international community to take action.

Turkey currently holds the OIC presidency.

The meeting follows weeks of controversy over Israeli actions at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque in the wake of a deadly shootout.

Israel said the measures were needed for security, while Palestinians called them an effort to put the holy site under Israeli control.

Criticizing the measures, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week called on Muslims to rally to protect Al-Aqsa.