By Afshain Afzal

Few hours back Israeli air attacks killed at least 31 Palestinians, injuring 54 including children and women in Gaza City. In a new wave of Israeli raids on Gaza by Israeli aircrafts, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will continue attacks ‘as long as necessary’. Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip destroyed homes including a senior Hamas leader in Gaza but he was not there but family members were reportedly killed. The latest attempt to silence Palestinians is unprecedented while UN Secretary General is only issuing statement for formality. Around 176 people, including children and women have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

At the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s request, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held Open-Ended Ministerial Executive Committee meeting on 16 May 2021, to discuss developments in palestine

Saudi Arabia, chair of the Islamic Summit, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will issue final Communique adopted by the virtual emergency meeting of OIC Committee of Permanent representatives to discuss aggression by Israel, occupying power in Palestinian territories, in particular Al Quds Al Shareef (Esat Jerusalem).

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, addressing the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned what he called the violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. He condemned Israel’s “flagrant violations” of Palestinian rights and called for global action to end military operations while fellow Gulf states that forged ties with Israel said a ceasefire was needed for regional stability. He also denounced the "forcible" eviction of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem and urged the international community to end this "dangerous escalation" and revive peace negotiations based on a two-state solution.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addressing the meeting said that Israel should be held accountable for war crimes and that the International Criminal Court could play a role. He also called for an international protection mechanism for Palestinian civilians.

He added, "De-escalation and the highest degree of restraint are important to avoid dragging the region to new levels of instability,"

UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy called for a ceasefire and stressed the importance of preserving the identity of Jerusalem, which contains sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Earlier pressure from United States paraylsed the United Nations Organization to independently and freely play its role. The UN Security Council was compelled to restrict to discussion on mere the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants, after pressure from US at the meeting this Friday. We need to realize that Security Council’s powers under Chapter VII of the Charter to authorise the use of force, and the right of self-defence recognised in Article 51 of the Charter, are adequate to address current threats. United Nations can also pass resolution for peacekeeping operations to support the implementation of a cease-fire or a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. principle of the non-use of force as embodied in Article 2, paragraph 4. Who can deny that the United Nations can use of force to avert an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe. Even if the Israel claims that it was in self defence, which was not at all as videos are available as evidence of Israeli aggression before the violence started. No doubt, prohibition against the use of force is a cornerstone of the United Nations Charter and citing Article 2.4, the Court continued: ‘Article 51 of the Charter may justify a use of force in self-defence only within the strict confines there laid down. It does not allow the use of force by a State to protect perceived security interests beyond these parameters.

One wonders, the United Nations Organization is considered as an instrument of peace in the world then should it work on the political dictates of powerful nations? The coercive tactics adopted by the United States and Israel are in violations of International law and Charter of the United Nations. Who can deny that international law permits the use of force in self-defence against an imminent attack but does not authorize the use of force to mount a preemptive attack against a threat that is remote or non-existent. Use of force is a measure of last resort to be employed only where absolutely necessary but is it fair to kill 176 Palestinians in bombing and airial attacks just to implement a local court order for the eviction. It is high time that United Nations Organization should act wisely and deliver it obligations to pronounce Israel as aggressor and accountable for war crimes while the International Criminal Court may carryout trial of all those Israelis behind to holocaust.