Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Ishaq Dar, on Friday urged the international community and Muslim countries to take decisive collective action to halt Israeli settlement expansion and annexation attempts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, warning that continued violations were undermining prospects for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Addressing the extraordinary open-ended ministerial session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee here, the DPM said the Palestinian cause remained the central concern of the Muslim Ummah and stressed that Israel’s actions in the Occupied West Bank posed serious challenges to international law, the UN Charter, and the multilateral system.

DPM/FM Dar expressed appreciation to the Republic of the Gambia, Turkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the State of Palestine for convening the timely session to address what he termed illegal Israeli measures aimed at accelerating settlement expansion and imposing sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land.

The deputy prime minister noted that despite intensified diplomatic efforts to consolidate a ceasefire and implement the UN Security Council’s comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict, Israeli ceasefire violations and continued settlement activities were jeopardising peace efforts.

Recalling consultations held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2025 between leaders and foreign ministers of eight Arab-Islamic countries, including Pakistan, and the President of the United States, Dar said assurances had been given that annexation of the Occupied West Bank would not occur. However, developments on the ground reflected continued expansion of settlements and attempts at de facto annexation in violation of international law.

Pakistan strongly condemned recent Israeli measures declaring parts of the Occupied West Bank as “state property,” he said, adding that such actions demonstrated an expansionist approach devoid of regard for humanitarian norms.

Highlighting Pakistan’s role as an elected member of the UN Security Council, Dar reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to advancing the Palestinian cause at the UN, OIC, and other multilateral platforms.

He outlined key priorities including reversal of annexation measures, protection of the legal and historic status of holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque, an end to displacement and demographic manipulation, full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, reconstruction of Gaza under Palestinian ownership, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and a credible political process leading to an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Dar also condemned recent remarks by the United States Ambassador to Israel, suggesting acceptance of Israeli control over Arab territories, terming them irresponsible and inconsistent with international law.

Drawing parallels between the Palestinian issue and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he urged the OIC to intensify efforts toward a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan would continue contributing to diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace through a two-state solution, stressing that the current moment demanded unity and concrete action from the Muslim world.