Islamic Conference Backs Palestinian Rebellion, Sees Oppression by Israel

Muslim nations were united Tuesday behind the Palestinian rebellion in Israeli-occupied lands as foreign ministers of the 45-member Organization of the Islamic Conference condemned “oppressive and criminal measures by the (Israeli) authorities against our brothers.”

In a statement on the rebellion, which began Dec. 9 in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, the ministers said, “All Muslims in the world are proud of this uprising.”

The statement added, “Members of the organization are concerned to support Palestinians financially, politically and morally and also to back their sole legitimate representative, the PLO.”

No indication was given of what form the aid would take, and the statement did not elaborate.

The statement echoed a speech by Jordan’s King Hussein at the opening of the conference Monday, in which he said the “blood of martyrs” was being shed in the territories.

Taher Masri, Jordan’s foreign minister, told reporters: “We can only provide support in a political manner, to pressure the world’s nations to get them to pressure Israel and reveal the meaning of the uprising. I don’t remember seeing any request for financial support.”

Farouk Khaddoumi, the Palestine Liberation Organization’s foreign minister, said the statement was valuable to the PLO and especially “for the people inside the territories.”