Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Bangladesh has denounced the recent Israeli attempt to annex occupied Palestinian territory, said a spokesman of the foreign ministry on Friday.
Addressing the Open-Ended Executive Committee meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at foreign ministers' level, Bangladesh's foreign minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, reiterated Dhaka's long-standing position that the only sustainable solution to the conflict lies in the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and renewed momentum behind a two-state solution.
He rejected what he described as Israel's "land-related legislation" and called for protection of Palestinian land rights.
Mr Khalil condemned recent Israeli legislation easing land purchases and opening land registries in the West Bank to wider scrutiny.
He said the measures were designed to "alter the legal and demographic character" of Palestinian lands, including Al Quds Al Sharif - the Arabic name for Jerusalem - and warned that exposing land records risked subjecting Palestinian landowners to intimidation and harassment.
"These actions are clearly in breach of relevant international law," Rahman said, arguing that they undermined the foundations of a just and lasting peace.
Israel has not publicly characterised the legislation as annexation, but critics argue that facilitating land transfers in occupied territory entrenches settlement expansion and erodes the viability of a future Palestinian state.
The foreign minister also demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and "unconditional and unhindered access" for international aid workers and humanitarian agencies to civilians affected by the conflict.
His remarks come as Bangladesh's new government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, seeks to reassert its diplomatic profile. He also conveyed Ramadan greetings from the prime minister to the "Muslim Ummah" and said Dhaka's newly elected administration looked forward to closer engagement with OIC member states.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com