Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meets to discuss controversial Israeli ‘nation-state’ law
Today, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will meet in Jeddah to discuss Israel’s controversial “nation-state law”, which was passed in July.
The law established Hebrew as the official language of Israel, demoting Arabic to a language of ‘special status’, and mandated that the government actively promote ‘Jewish settlement’.
Though Riyadh has called today’s meeting to criticise Israel, relations between the two have improved markedly—albeit quietly—in recent years. Although the two countries have never had official diplomatic relations, a mutual distaste for Iranian influence in the region has opened back-channel discussions.
While the OIC will more than likely unanimously pass a resolution condemning the Israeli law, the Saudis still face a Catch-22. Their objective is to improve relations with Israel, but, to accomplish this, they must make public statements signalling cooperation with the country. However, if Riyadh makes such proclamations, its position in the Islamic world will be called into question.
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