Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to convene an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial remarks on Palestine.
The decision was made during a phone call between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
The Pakistani Foreign Office strongly condemned Netanyahu’s statements, reaffirming Islamabad’s support for Saudi sovereignty and the Palestinian cause. The Saudi minister appreciated Pakistan’s consistent backing of the Kingdom’s position.
Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to convene the OIC meeting to address the situation in Gaza. Dar also discussed the matter with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with both nations committing to support the OIC session.
Pakistan reiterated its firm stance on Palestine, advocating for an independent state within pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The foreign ministry condemned any proposals involving the displacement of Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have rejected his comments, with Cairo calling them a direct attack on Saudi sovereignty.
The controversy follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians be resettled elsewhere, an idea dismissed by Arab states.
Meanwhile, Gaza remains under heavy Israeli bombardment, which has killed over 47,000 people since the conflict escalated following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage.