Israeli Regime Should Not Be Rewarded for Its Crimes: OIC
In a statement on Sunday, the OIC welcomed the decision of the African Union to suspend a debate on whether to withdraw Israel’s accreditation, Almasry Alyoum reported.
“This is in line with the historical positions of the African Union countries in support of the Palestinian cause, and against the policies of colonial settlement, ethnic cleansing and apartheid practiced by Israel against the Palestinian people,” noted the statement.
The Zionist regime should not be rewarded for its grave violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, added the organization.
On Sunday, the African Union unanimously suspended a debate on whether to withdraw Israel’s accreditation and decided to form a committee, which will include South Africa and Algeria, who opposed Israel’s accreditation, as well as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who supported it, to discuss the matter.
“The Israel question has been suspended for now and instead there will be a committee set up to study the issue,” AFP quoted a diplomat as saying on the closing day of the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa.
Back in July, Israel’s accreditation drew a sharp rebuke from powerful members of the AU, including South Africa and Algeria, which argued that it contradicted AU statements supporting the occupied Palestinian territories.
At the time, the regime in Tel Aviv hailed the decision, with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid saying, “This is a day of celebration for Israel-Africa relations.”
South Africa and Algeria are leading efforts to cancel the decision at the AU.
Pro-Palestine language is typically featured in statements delivered at the AU’s annual summits. Palestine already has observer status at the African Union.
