OIC to impose political and economic sanctions on supporters of US Embassy move

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has said that it will impose economic and political sanctions on countries, officials, parliaments, companies or individuals who support the US Embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The OIC condemned “in the strongest terms” the illegal US decision.

“This is an attack on the historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people,” said the OIC, “which undermines the standing of the United Nations and rule of international law and thus represents an affront to international peace and security.”

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It urged all states not to support the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and not to move their diplomatic missions to Jerusalem. “The OIC shall adopt actions to ensure that companies and other actors that choose to benefit from the Israeli colonial regime are deprived of the opportunity of accessing OIC markets.”

Thousands of Palestinians have demonstrated in several locations along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel to protest against the embassy move, and to push for their legitimate right to return to their homes inside what is now Israel. According to a statement from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 45 people were killed by Israeli troops yesterday, with more than 1,800 wounded. That figure has now been updated to at least 58 Palestinians killed, including children.

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On 14 May, the US President’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and a number of US officials attended the opening ceremony of the Embassy in the former consulate building in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Arnona.