Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad hosted an expert webinar featuring Dr. Feras Qawasmeh of the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies to examine the evolving threat posed by illegal West Bank settlements and the growing role of the OIC in countering that expansion. The discussion highlighted how collective diplomacy and coordinated advocacy between Pakistan and fellow OIC members can sharpen international scrutiny of settlement growth and settler violence.
Dr. Qawasmeh outlined changing patterns in Israel’s settlement expansion and stressed the need for regional diplomacy that links state-level consensus to grassroots campaigns, including Palestinian-led movements that directly confront settlement activity. He emphasised that effective engagement by the OIC requires sustained backing from member states to amplify Palestinian voices and to press for accountability on the ground.
The webinar reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing support for a two-state solution and the protection of Palestinian liberties, noting Pakistan’s recent interventions at the UN Security Council as evidence of its commitment. Participants argued that a unified OIC stance against forced annexation and illegal settlement growth can push international institutions to take clearer action.
Panel remarks also pointed to the catalytic role of civil society measures such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in raising global awareness and political pressure over West Bank settlements. Policy recommendations proposed a deliberate pipeline linking Palestinian rights advocates and organised groups with Pakistan and key Gulf partners within the OIC to coordinate advocacy and diplomatic initiatives.
Hannan Hussain, head of the West Asia Programme at the Institute, provided an on-ground assessment of how the legacy of the Oslo Accords and shifting security controls have eroded Palestinian political liberties and altered everyday life. He warned that rising arson attacks and other violent tactics make it urgent for OIC states to translate consensus into practical measures that protect civilians and contest de facto annexation.
The session closed with an in-depth Q&A examining constraints and opportunities for regional players to improve Palestinian freedoms and prevent deeper entrenchment of the occupation, urging actions consistent with international legal obligations and the OIC’s trajectory. Speakers agreed that momentum within the OIC, if matched by coordinated diplomatic and grassroots pressure, can meaningfully counter the spread of West Bank settlements.
