OIC condemns Trump’s remarks on Palestinian displacement, UNRWA funding cut

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements advocating for the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, supporting Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian territories, and halting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the OIC denounced these remarks, asserting that they “contribute to the consolidation of occupation, colonial settlement, and the forcible seizure of Palestinian land,” in clear violation of international law and United Nations resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 2334. The organization warned that such actions “would undermine the chances of peace and destabilize the region.”

The OIC further expressed its unequivocal rejection of any plans aimed at altering the geographical, demographic, or legal reality of the occupied Palestinian territory. Stressing that “the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied State of Palestine,” the organization called for immediate efforts to establish a comprehensive ceasefire, ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from Palestinian lands, and reinforce Palestinian resilience. It also urged the international community to provide urgent humanitarian relief, facilitate economic recovery, and support the reconstruction of Gaza.

Reaffirming its unwavering support for UNRWA, the OIC rejected any attempts to undermine its mandate, emphasizing its “pivotal and irreplaceable role” in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. The organization underscored that UNRWA’s existence “is a witness to the international commitment to the rights of Palestinian refugees and an element of stability in the region.”

Additionally, the OIC reiterated its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to reclaim their inalienable rights. It reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement concluded with a renewed call for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on international law, UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, stressing the need to “end the Israeli occupation and implement the two-state solution.”

The OIC’s condemnation adds to the growing international backlash against Trump’s policies on Palestine, further intensifying diplomatic tensions in the region.