DPM Dar condemns 'Greater Israel' plan as threat to regional security

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has condemned Israel’s plan for the creation of a so-called ‘Greater Israel’, calling it a direct threat to regional and international peace and security.

Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah on Monday, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s stance for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire across Gaza.

“The root cause of this ongoing tragedy is Israel’s prolonged, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. As long as this occupation endures, peace will remain elusive,” Dar said. “Pakistan fully stands by its brotherly Arab states in safeguarding their sovereignty against threats to their independence and territorial integrity.”

Dar also urged the full implementation of the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the Palestine issue and called for renewed international support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which he said remains indispensable for the survival of millions of Palestinians.

He demanded an end to the forced displacement, illegal settlement expansion, and annexation of Palestinian land, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“The declared intent of Israel to occupy Gaza city would be a deliberate attempt to obliterate Palestinian existence and heritage, and it must be firmly opposed,” Dar said, emphasising the need for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

DPM also condemned Israel’s actions in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling any desecration of the site an intolerable provocation. “The incursions by Israeli officials into Al-Quds Al-Sharif are a deliberate assault on Muslim settlements, a blatant violation of international law, and a direct challenge to the collective conscience of the Muslim Ummah,” Dar added.

Dar urged the OIC to remain vigilant and united in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites from any unilateral alterations. He called on the UN Security Council to impose consequences on Israel for defying international demands, including deploying an international protection force to safeguard Gaza’s besieged population.

He reaffirmed that Palestine remains a priority for Pakistan and, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Pakistan would continue working with the OIC and Arab partners to mobilise global support for the Palestinian right to self-determination, justice, and peace.

Dar also welcomed growing international momentum in support of Palestinian statehood and its full membership in the United Nations.

During his visit, Ishaq Dar met with several foreign ministers, including Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and Somalia’s Foreign Minister, on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) emergency session in Jeddah.

During his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, Dar discussed the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, including ongoing genocide, famine, and the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, reconstruction, and lasting peace.

In a post on X, Dar said, "We reviewed the grave situation in Gaza, strongly condemning Israeli aggression and genocide, and emphasised the urgent need for humanitarian aid." He also noted that bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were reviewed, and both sides exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

Dar later met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. "We discussed the situation in Gaza, condemned Israeli actions, and stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access," Dar shared on X.

He further added that the recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Iranian President to Pakistan, reaffirmed the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran. Discussions also touched on regional peace and security.

In his meeting with Somalia's Foreign Minister, Dar condemned the Israeli aggression in Gaza, the resulting famine, and the humanitarian crisis. Both sides stressed the urgency of unimpeded humanitarian relief.

The two leaders also discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, economic ties, and people-to-people exchanges. Dar expressed gratitude for Somalia’s solidarity with Pakistan during the recent floods.

Earlier, upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, Dar was received by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the OIC, Ambassador Fawad Sher, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, and Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Khalid Majid, at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Dar landed in Saudi Arabia after a historic visit to Bangladesh, where he met Bangladeshi politicians and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in Dhaka. Dar discussed the revival of historical connections and boosting trade and economic cooperation with Bangladesh. The talks also covered promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, reviewing recent developments in the region, and exploring prospects for wider regional cooperation.

Pakistan and Bangladesh also signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral relations. The signing ceremony, held in Dhaka, was supervised by Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hossain.

Gaza city in ruins

The extraordinary meeting of the OIC comes at a critical time as Israeli troops continue their offensive in the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza. The Israeli military gave a statement on Sunday, announcing their troops return to Jabalia with the intention of further expansion into additional zones.

Read More: PM condemns Israel's plan to seize Gaza as illegal

The worsening situation of Gaza looms over the OIC meeting, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declares Gaza a Level 5 described as “catastrophic hunger”, stating that a quarter of all Palestinians in Gaza are starving. According to the Gazan health ministry, deaths caused by starvation and malnutrition are now 289, 115 of whom are children.

Israel's plan to takeover Gaza city

On August 8, the Israeli government released a five-point plan “for defeating Hamas” and “concluding the war”. This plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet proposes a plan to take control of Gaza city. “The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will prepare to take control of Gaza city while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” the Israeli military said.

According to Israeli media, the plan will initially focus on taking full control of Gaza city, ousting its one million residents further south. IDF plans to take control of the refugee camps located in central Gaza and areas that are suspected to house the hostages.

Islamabad has reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the Palestinian cause and fully rejects Israel's plan to occupy Gaza.

Also Read: Global outcry as Israel moves to take control of Gaza City

The plan has faced widespread criticism from different world leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted as stating,“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed”. Countries such as Australia, Finland and Turkey have all opposed the plan.

What is the OIC?

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was established in 1969 consisting of 47 member states across four continents. It is the second largest global organisation, coming in second to only the United Nations. The OIC works to create a singular voice for the Islamic World. The OIC had drafted a resolution asking for the immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was vetoed by the UN Security Council.

The OIC recognises the ongoing genocide in Gaza and holds the Israeli state responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there.

According to the official statement, the OIC demands “the immediate comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, and an end to the ongoing violations committed by the occupying forces against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem”.