OIC official: Economic boycott of Israel legitimate under international law

Ambassador Dawas Dawas, Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has affirmed that the economic boycott of Israel is a legitimate defensive measure grounded in international law. He stressed the need to continue boycotting Israel and foreign entities dealing with settlements until the occupation ends and the Palestinian people regain their legitimate rights.

His remarks came during the 98th Conference of Liaison Officers of Regional Offices for the Boycott of Israel, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo.

Ambassador Dawas explained that the current phase requires moving from condemnation to action by implementing boycott decisions and developing the mechanisms of regional offices. He also called for enhanced information sharing on companies and entities supporting settlements. He added that coordinated efforts among member states could deprive the settlement project of the economic resources that enable its expansion and continuation.

Escalation in the Palestinian territories

He noted that the Palestinian issue is witnessing an unprecedented escalation amid the ongoing war on Gaza and increasing violations in the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including killings, arrests, displacement, home demolitions, land confiscation, and settlement expansion. He also highlighted attacks by settlers on Palestinian civilians and places of worship under the protection of occupation forces.

He pointed out that these practices are part of an official policy aimed at imposing new demographic and geographic realities and undermining prospects for establishing a Palestinian state.

Growing international awareness

The assistant secretary-general stated that the international community is increasingly aware of the dangers of economic engagement with settlements. He cited initiatives by European governments and institutions, including Belgium and the Netherlands, to limit dealings with settlement products, as well as reviews by financial institutions and international companies of their investments linked to Israeli settlements.

Ambassador Dawas commended the efforts of the Arab Office for the Boycott of Israel at the League of Arab States, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the OIC and the League to implement boycott decisions. He said this would help compel Israel to respect international legitimacy, end its occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.