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A Year of Conflict: Pakistan’s Call for Global Unity and Support for Palestine

5 minutes read

A Year of Conflict: Pakistan’s Call for Global Unity and Support for Palestine

5 minutes read

On Monday, a Multi-Party Conference (MPC) convened in Islamabad, excluding representatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to express collective solidarity with Gaza and demand an immediate ceasefire. This gathering came one year after a devastating Israeli military invasion of Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 41,900 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The conference saw participation from top political figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, and prominent political leaders such as Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

The conflict traces its roots back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale military offensive in Gaza, leading to unprecedented devastation. The toll on both sides has drawn global condemnation, with increasing demands for a ceasefire, including legal actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

Resolution at the MPC

The MPC passed a resolution condemning Israel’s actions and affirming support for the Palestinian people. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar read out the resolution, stating, “We express our unwavering support for the inalienable right of the people of Palestine to self-determination and for the relevant OIC and UN resolutions on Palestine.” The declaration further condemned the Israeli aggression and called for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for Israel’s violations of international law.

The resolution also called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency summit to address the situation in Palestine and the broader implications of Israel’s actions for regional peace. It reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state. Pakistan has already sent ten humanitarian consignments to Gaza, and the resolution also stressed the need for continued aid.

 President Zardari’s Address

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, highlighting Israel’s expanding military actions, which now include attacks on Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. He criticized the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for what he termed “genocide” and warned that the conflict threatens regional stability.

Zardari called for immediate international intervention to de-escalate tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position in favor of a two-state solution. He also urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to fulfil its responsibility in establishing peace in the region and curbing Israel’s violations of international law.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Remarks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the unity of Pakistan’s political and religious leadership in standing against Israeli aggression. He questioned the global community’s double standards, contrasting the swift resolutions of conflicts in other regions, such as East Timor and Sudan, with the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people. Sharif stated that Pakistan would continue its efforts to support Palestinians, both diplomatically and through humanitarian aid.

Nawaz Sharif Criticizes Global Inaction

Nawaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), voiced strong criticism of the global community’s inaction, particularly pointing out the United Nations’ inability to enforce its resolutions on Israel, similar to the situation in Kashmir. He described the attacks on Palestinians as one of the worst atrocities in history and lamented that many global powers still view the issue through a religious lens rather than recognizing it as a human rights crisis. Sharif urged the Muslim world to take decisive action in support of Palestine, questioning the utility of the UN if it cannot stop such grave injustices.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Historical Perspective

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), traced the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which he described as the beginning of the Jewish settlement in Palestine. He rejected the two-state solution and called for the expulsion of Jews from the region, labeling Israel an illegitimate entity with no political or religious basis for its existence. Fazl also criticized the Muslim world’s insufficient support for the Palestinian cause and pointed to South Africa as a model for standing firm against Israeli aggression.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and the Call for One Palestinian State

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman denounced Israel’s actions as genocide and demanded that Pakistan take a clear stance against Israel. He criticized the concept of a two-state solution, arguing that it implicitly legitimizes Israel’s occupation. Instead, he called for the establishment of a single, free Palestinian state and urged Pakistan to recognize Hamas as a legitimate force in the struggle for Palestinian independence.

Naeemur Rehman went on to argue that Israel’s actions pose a threat not only to Palestinians but to the wider region, warning that continued inaction would embolden further atrocities.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Appeal for Unity

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), underscored the need for unity within Pakistan and across the Muslim world to combat Israeli aggression. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz for boycotting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to standing with the Palestinian people.

Bilawal also highlighted the plight of Palestinian hostages held by Israel and condemned the international community’s selective focus on hostages taken after October 7, while ignoring those in Israeli prisons for generations. He stressed that any resolution to the conflict must also address the broader Zionist agenda, which, in his view, extends beyond Gaza to include ambitions in Lebanon, Egypt, and other parts of the region.

Conclusion

The MPC in Islamabad sent a strong message of solidarity with the people of Palestine, with political leaders across the spectrum emphasizing the need for unity and decisive action. The conference condemned Israel’s actions in the strongest terms, called for a ceasefire, and stressed the importance of a single, independent Palestinian state. While differences of opinion existed, particularly concerning the two-state solution, the conference underscored Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause on both political and humanitarian fronts.

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