The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held a summit in Banjul, Gambia on May 4, where Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, called for Muslim countries to sever diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. He emphasized that this step is crucial in pressuring Tel Aviv to stop its actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas raided southern Israel, resulting in a response campaign by Israel that led to significant casualties. As of May 3, the fighting had claimed the lives of 34,600 people and left more than 77,800 injured, with most of them being women and children. Iran and other countries accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip while Israel defended its actions as self-defense.
Several countries have cut or suspended relations with Israel in response to the conflict. Türkiye announced a halt in trade with Israel until a permanent ceasefire is reached in Gaza. The US supports Israel’s military campaign but urges its allies to do more to protect civilians and looks forward to establishing an independent Palestinian state.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, calls for isolating Israel through diplomatic and economic measures have gained traction among Muslim countries seeking to end the violence in Gaza. Israel has faced criticism and accusations of genocide while the international community remains divided on the issue.