Islamabad, 16 October 2023 (TDI): In a compelling Facebook post, Nader Al Turk, the Deputy Head of the Palestine Mission in Islamabad, issued a passionate denunciation of Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
Al Turk’s statement highlighted the stark disparity between the Israeli claim of self-defense and the reality of civilian casualties in Gaza.
In his post, Al Turk unambiguously asserted that the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza amount to a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
He went in further, characterizing these actions as crimes against humanity and a form of genocide against the more than two million Palestinian civilians residing in the region, a staggering 70% of whom are children, women, and old people.
Al Turk’s impassioned plea resonated with a growing sentiment shared by people worldwide. He called upon individuals to urge their respective governments to reconsider their unwavering support for the Israeli actions in Gaza.
The Deputy Head of Palestine’s Mission emphasized that the international community must prioritize the interests and well-being of Palestine.
In this vein, it should ensure to stop crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against humanity, primarily targeting Palestinian civilians, including children and women.
He also highlighted the double standards applied by some European countries, which allow support rallies for Israel’s actions while stifling solidarity rallies with the victims of civil aggression in Gaza.
Al Turk questioned whether such policies are in line with democratic principles. He went on to underline that the tide has shifted, with a groundswell of global support for the Palestinian cause.
He also challenged the Israeli government to consider whether it can continue its actions in Gaza in the face of mounting international scrutiny.
In short, Al Turk reminded the world that freedom of speech is a fundamental right that should apply to all and stressed the need to eliminate double standards in international responses to conflicts.
Also read: Israel-Palestine Conflict: Escalating violence & humanitarian crisis
Mass protests broke around all across the world in the wake of Operation Iron Swords launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip, on 7 October.
It is pertinent to note that the longstanding dispute between Israel and Palestine took a perilous turn, with the recent escalation marking one of the most substantial and deadly confrontations in decades.
In the early hours of Saturday, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas launched ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Storm’ against Israel. This attack involved coordinated actions, including infiltrations at multiple points and a barrage of missiles targeting Israel.
This development comes amidst escalating tensions over the Al-Aqsa Mosque and ongoing concerns about the Israeli occupation.
