TDS Desk:

Bangladesh has strongly denounced Israel’s recent legislation facilitating land purchases in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing the move as an unlawful attempt to annex Palestinian land.

Addressing the Open-Ended Executive Committee Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of foreign ministers, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman unequivocally condemned the Israeli measure.

He said the legislation is aimed at altering the legal and demographic character of Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, referred to as Al Quds Al Sharif, according to a foreign ministry’s press release.

The minister expressed grave concern that Israel’s decision to ease land purchase regulations and open land registries in the West Bank to public scrutiny could expose Palestinian landowners to intimidation and harassment.

He stated that such actions violate relevant international law and undermine the foundations of a just and lasting peace.

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s longstanding position, the foreign minister stressed that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the two-state solution along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only viable path to resolving the protracted crisis.

He categorically rejected the Israeli land legislation and called for the protection of Palestinian land rights.

He also demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and urged unconditional and unhindered access for international humanitarian workers to assist affected civilians in the enclave.

Conveying Ramadan greetings from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Muslim Ummah, the foreign minister said Bangladesh’s newly elected democratic government looks forward to strengthening cooperation with OIC member states.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Khalilur Rahman held bilateral talks with several counterparts, including Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar; The Gambia’s Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie; Palestine’s Foreign Minister Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya; and Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A. Elkhereiji.

During the meetings, OIC leaders congratulated the people and government of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the recent general elections and extended their felicitations to the prime minister on the electoral victory of BNP.

They expressed their willingness to work closely with the new administration.

Khalilur Rahman briefed his counterparts on the government’s vision and priorities, particularly in the areas of foreign policy, trade and investment, resolution of the Rohingya crisis, and enhancing the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat.

Member states also voiced strong support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The foreign minister invited his counterparts to visit Bangladesh at their convenience.

Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir, Secretary (Inter-Governmental Organisations) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs M Forhadul Islam, and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the OIC MJH Jabed accompanied Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during the bilateral engagements.