Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the violence by Israeli Occupation forces in occupied Palestine territory and called upon the international community for prompt action to protect Palestinians.
“Pakistan views the recent alarming developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with serious concern,” the Foreign Office said in a statement issued here.
The Foreign Office mentioned that the violent acts by Israeli forces included harassment of people coming for prayers, arrests of innocent Palestinians and other arbitrary restrictions in violation of fundamental human rights.
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These illegal measures have seen an upsurge since the onset of the holy month of Ramazan, it said.
“Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination,” the FO statement said.
Pakistan has reiterated the country is not considering recognising the state of Israel, in line with existing policy, according to a statement, even as Arab allies have moved to do so. Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) November 25, 2020
It said that for a just and lasting peace, it was imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State.
Ramazan dispute
The Palestinian clashes with Israeli police began with the start of Ramazan, on April 13. Palestinians say police have tried to prevent them from holding their usual Ramazan evening gatherings outside Damascus Gate.
Police say the measure is part of efforts to ensure Muslims can safely get to the main prayer site.
“Palestinians love to relax in this area after evening prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque, but the occupation (Israel) doesn’t like it. It’s a matter of sovereignty,” said Jerusalem resident Mohammad Abu Al-Homus.
Clashes and other violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem have occurred nightly since the start of Ramazan and have laid bare simmering tensions in the holy city.
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The incidents threaten to break a sustained period of relative quiet in a contested city at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli police had made over 50 arrests and Palestinian medics said 100 were injured during clashes on April 22. From late Thursday night into early Friday, police in riot gear and on horseback had fought to keep apart two groups of protesters — Palestinian youth hurling firecrackers and setting fire to garbage bins, and ultra-nationalist Israelis chanting anti-Arab slogans.
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk