Take up the cause of Palestine: Foreign minister to UN Security Council

Bangladesh has urged the UN Security Council to take up the issue of violence and breach of security in the occupied land of Palestine and work for a durable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"Bangladesh believes in a comprehensive and durable solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quarter Road Map," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at an open-ended meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation executive committee held virtually yesterday.

He said that as the principal organ of the UN charged with ensuring international peace and security, the UN Security Council should take up the issue of violence and breach of security in the entire occupied land of the State of Palestine.

The meeting was convened in response to the repeated attacks of a "terrorist nature" by the Israeli occupation forces on the innocent civilians in Al-Quds, Al Shareef, bombing on the Al Aksa mosque compound followed by attacks on worshipers and the eviction of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, said the foreign ministry in a statement.

Momen said there is no pretext that can justify killing of innocent civilians, disruption of worshippers' prayers and breach of international humanitarian laws and human rights standards.

Bangladesh expressed its sadness and deep condolences to the victims of the recent atrocities.

He mentioned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's letter to the president of Palestine, saying, "I take this opportunity to reiterate Bangladesh's unflinching commitment in realising the inalienable rights of the brotherly people of Palestine for an independent homeland and a sovereign and viable State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."

In the meeting Bangladesh endorsed the statement of the OIC group at the United Nations and agreed with the suggestion made in the statement of resumption of the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly if the Security Council fails to uphold its responsibility.

He urged all UN member states to stand strong and work for the betterment of humanity.