The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) cautioned against threats made by extremist settler groups to offer sacrifices inside the courtyards of the blessed Aqsa Mosque. It also strongly condemned the assault by dozens of extremist settlers on the blessed Aqsa and Talmudic rituals they performed therein with support and protection of the Israeli occupation forces. It considered this dangerous escalation as a blatant provocation for sentiments of the entire Ummah and a flagrant violation of relevant international resolutions and covenants. OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha held Israel fully responsible for the possible consequences of the continued cold-blooded killings of the Palestinian people, and the continued violations of the sanctities that would fuel religious conflict, extremism and instability in the region. He also called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to act to put an end to such repeated violations, and to compel Israel to respect the sanctity of the holy places and the political and religious rights of the Palestinian people. — SPA
