THE Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) held a summit in Istanbul on May 18 to take up the issue of Israeli excesses against the Palestinian people and the killing of 62 defenceless civilians on the Gaza border.

The holding of the OIC summit was a welcome move. However, it is not yet clear what is the OIC practically doing for the cause of Palestinians.

Holding summits will not resolve a long-standing problem. On the other hand, many members of the OIC, especially the Gulf States, do not have a clear thought-out policy about the Palestine-Israel issue. Saudia Arabia and the UAE, it seems are, apparently, more inclined towards Israel than Palestine. This will only strengthen Israel.

The need of the hour is that all OIC members should work in cohesion for a peaceful settlement of the Palestine-Israel issue.

Zahid Mumtaz

Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2018