Indonesia urges OIC to take concrete action against Israel

Indonesia's deputy foreign minister, Anis Matta, has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take decisive action against Israel's actions towards Palestinians, as the crisis in the Middle East continues to test the OIC's effectiveness. This plea was made during the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 27, as reported by a foreign ministry statement on Sunday.

Matta emphasized that the escalating conflict was putting the OIC's authority to the test, warning that the organization needed to maximize its capabilities and mechanisms in order to hold Israel accountable for its various crimes. He specifically urged the OIC to categorize acts of violence by illegal settlers as acts of terrorism.

Anis represented Foreign Minister Sugiono at the meeting and highlighted the far-reaching impact of the regional conflict, stating that it extended far beyond the Middle East. He also pointed out that Israel was taking advantage of the OIC's divided attention to continue its actions against Palestinians, including the expansion of illegal settlements, the annexation of Palestinian land, and the killings of Palestinians.