Islamabad, March 27, 2026 (Khyber Mail) — The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, convened an expert webinar featuring Dr. Feras Qawasmeh, Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies in Qatar, on the theme “A United Front Against Illegal Settlement Expansion: The Role of The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.”
The discussion examined Israel’s expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and emphasized the importance of collective consensus among Pakistan and its OIC partners, particularly following the extraordinary open-ended ministerial session. Dr. Qawasmeh highlighted the need for greater regional diplomacy and grassroots campaigns, including Palestinian-led movements, to counter settlement expansion. He underscored Pakistan’s consistent support for the two-state solution, the sanctity of Palestinian liberties, and opposition to illegal aggression threatening Palestinian statehood.
Dr. Qawasmeh also stressed the role of international advocacy movements such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in raising global awareness and scrutiny of settlement expansion. His policy recommendations included building pipelines of Palestinian rights advocates and strengthening cooperation with Pakistan and Gulf partners within the OIC to advance consensus against forced annexation.
Hannan Hussain, head of the West Asia Program at IRS, added that the talk provided an in-depth assessment of conditions in the occupied West Bank, noting how the Oslo Accords have shifted security controls and political liberties to the detriment of Palestinians amid rising settler violence.
The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, exploring the constraints and opportunities facing regional players in advancing Palestinian freedoms and preventing further entrenchment of occupation, in line with international legal obligations and the OIC’s trajectory.