TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has called on the OIC member states to take steps to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque and help the Palestine.
Retno said that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states ought to collectively protect the compound to achieve security, peace, and stability in the region. “Muslims have to unite and take concrete actions to help Palestine,” FM Retno said in a written statement received yesterday, August 1.
Retno also urged Israel to maintain stability and ensure the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The message was conveyed in an Extraordinary Meeting of The OIC Executive Committee in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday.
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The incident at Al-Aqsa Mosque is a reflection of Israeli violent policy that violates human rights and was caused by continued its illegal occupation in Palestine, Retno said. “Will we allow the recurrence of the incidents at Al-Aqsa in the future? We cannot let this continue to happen,” she remarked.
OIC members should use various forums, including the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to change its policy on Palestine. Moreover, Minister Retno has also called on OIC to urge the UN Security Council in Geneva to convene a special meeting to discuss human rights violation at the Al-Aqsa.
At the meeting, the minister reiterated the importance of a peace process based on two state solution principles.
Tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque area continues to rise after Israeli police installed metal detectors and surveillance cameras at the entrance of the mosque compound.
The move was met with backlash from Palestinians as they saw it as Israel’s control over Muslims’ holy site. They also considered that the tight security measures were taken as a collective punishment.
Israel has recently removed metal detectors and surveillance cameras. However, it applies a new rule that bars Palestinian men age under 50 form performing prayers there.
AHMAD FAIZ
