The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Banjul, Gambia, on May 4, saw Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, call on Muslim countries to sever diplomatic and economic ties with Israel in order to pressure Tel Aviv to end its campaign in Gaza. He emphasized that cutting relations and imposing embargoes on Israel are crucial steps to force them to stop their actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas raided southern Israel, leading to a response campaign by Israel that resulted in significant casualties. As of May 3, the fighting had claimed the lives of 34,600 people and left more than 77,800 injured, with a majority 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 due 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 the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the future.
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 violence in Gaza. While some countries have taken action against Israeli interests, others remain divided on whether it is necessary or effective to sever ties with Jerusalem.