Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Your Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey and the Chairman of OIC,

Your Majesties/Excellencies - the Heads of State, Government and Delegation

Secretary General, Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen

Distinguished Guests, Brothers and Sisters

As Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

I wish to express my deep appreciation to President Erdogan for convening this Extraordinary Summit in the spirit of fraternity and solidarity with our Palestinian brethren. We are meeting at a critical time of Palestinian history. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are subjected to yet another round of atrocities and loss of lives. I also express sincere thanks for the warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I bring with me and convey Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s condolences and deepest sympathy for the bereaved.

It’s with a deep sense of shock and pain, Mr. Chairman, that Bangladesh came to know the news of atrocities wantonly perpetrated by Israeli authorities on the unarmed Palestinian civilians. The impunity demonstrated by Israel and the disregard shown by the US Administration to international norm and laws have outraged the people of Bangladesh. These actions were highly provocative and are now causes for new waves of tension, hostility and violent extremism in the already volatile region of the Middle East. The actions threaten global peace and security. We strongly condemn the Israeli savagery and culture of international impunity. We deplore and reject the US action.

We in Bangladesh are deeply concerned at these ominous developments. Israeli illegal colonial abuses and this latest “massacre” of unarmed civilians including children are crimes against humanity. Protection of the Palestinians is Israel’s state obligation as per international law. The crimes deserve international investigation and legal action. We are also concerned at the US action of the opening of the Embassy which is in clear violation of international law including several UN Security Council resolutions. The US action actually triggered spontaneous protests from the Palestinians who came out in desperate protest in anticipation of the opening of the Embassy. This is alarmingly emboldening Israel to illegally impose its control over the holy city of Al Quds and advance its design to change its historical and legal status, its demographic structure and historic Arab-Islamic character. We cannot remain as bystanders and see this happening to the city of their first Qibla, the third holiest shrine, and the permanent seat of OIC Headquarters. We must reject any attempts to bring change in the status quo in the occupied Jerusalem.

Israeli colonial practices and state impunity must come to an immediate end forever. Supporters of Israeli action should realise that its crimes call for only justice in a civilised world not condoning of it.

Mr. Chairman and Excellencies,

The Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joins the Ummah in their call for status quo ante. The Arab peace plan can work as an important milestone. Bangladesh reaffirms its unswerving position in favour of establishing the State of Palestine on the basis of pre-67 borders with East Jerusalem–Al Quds as its capital. Palestinian State must be spatially and demographically contiguous, viable in political and economic way, and stable with just and lasting peace arrangements.

We believe, at the latest developments, OIC needs a solid and determined strategy. We must engage international community proactively, with immediate action by the Ministerial Group on Al Quds to reach out to important state capitals as well as with activation of OIC Ambassadors in New York, Geneva, the Hague and Brussels. We should continue to mobilise international pressure on Israel for halting and reversing its policies and practices. OIC must move all important international fora including the UN and its different organisations-political, security and legal in function. OIC should direct its efforts in all licit avenues and channels. OIC must find an alternative multi-power multi-stake holder platform to push and take forward the peace process to a meaningful end.

I am confident, this Extraordinary Summit under your wise leadership will give our Palestinian brethren necessary support and strength and send a strong message to the international community that we are rock solid in unity behind them in their struggle for a just cause.

Thank you all