Analysis of the Reasons for Failure and Untapped Capacities of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Confronting Israel's Crimes in Gaza

Salehi, Hadi; Saleh, Alam; Balaghi, Abouzar

doi:10.22091/csiw.2025.13345.2694

Analysis of the Reasons for Failure and Untapped Capacities of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Confronting Israel's Crimes in Gaza

Document Type : Academicm and Research

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Public Law at Shiraz University.

² Associate Professor of Middle East Studies at Australian National University.

³ PhD Candidate of International Law at Razavi University of Islamic Studies.

10.22091/csiw.2025.13345.2694

Abstract

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was established in 1969 with the aim of unifying Islamic countries and defending their interests, particularly in combating the occupying regime of Israel and supporting the Palestinian people. However, despite the passage of five decades, the organization has had limited success in achieving its political goals, especially in resolving the Palestinian issue. Its name change from "Islamic Conference" to "Islamic Cooperation" reflects the expansion of its activities into economic and cultural domains and a reduced focus on political challenges. The main reasons for the organization's failure include internal divisions among members, dependence on Western countries, cultural and political disharmony among members, and the non-binding nature of its decisions. The organization has attempted to make efforts by establishing financial funds (such as the Islamic Solidarity Fund and the Islamic Development Bank) and providing legal support for Palestine in international forums, but its inability to implement effective sanctions, failure to establish a collective security system, and reliance on non-binding resolutions have hindered its effectiveness. Proposed solutions include strengthening practical convergence, utilizing international legal mechanisms (such as the International Criminal Court), imposing economic sanctions on Israel, and strengthening humanitarian actions. However, the lack of political will, sectarian tensions, and the dominance of Western hegemony over the international system exacerbate the structural challenges of this organization.

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