Seminar on Palestine Conflict: speakers concerned over silence of Muslim world

The Israeli aggression in Gaza is against the Geneva Convention and violations of all human rights and the silence of international community especially of Muslim world on the issue is beyond understanding. This was the crux of a seminar organised by based think tank MUSLIM Institute in collaboration of The World Muslim Congress on "Palestine Conflict: Obliteration of Human Rights", here on Monday.
Senator Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Chairman PML-N, said that recognition of Israel and diplomatic staff sent to it by Muslim world should be taken back as Israeli PM had openly shown his intentions that their offensives would not be stopped by anyone. "Muslim leaders are silent on the issue of Palestine but general public throughout the world has demonstrated against Israeli barbarity even Jewish community is against it," he said, adding that a committee should be formed to raise funds for oppressed Palestinian people. General former COAS Pakistan Mirza Aslam Beg (Retd) said Israel had launched the most barbaric assault on Hamas of Gaza, who awee besieged and isolated, yet were determined "to resist, endure and win", as declared by their parliament. "Israel has failed to destroy command and control system of Hamas and now it will come to peace talks," he added.
Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, Chairman ISSI (Retd), said UNSC resolutions demanded to Israel to leave occupied territories of Palestine which was the root cause of the issue, saying the Israeli aggression was against the Geneva Convention. The silence of Muslim world on the issue was not understandable and they were not playing their role, he added.
Chairman MUSLIM Institute Sahibzada Sultan Ahamd Ali said the issue of Palestine was more than a century old on which Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam also raised their voice. "Today Gaza represents an open air prison because of Israeli siege. Many countries have condemned the Israeli barbarity and the boycott of Israel by South Africa and Latin American countries is appreciable," he said, adding all the Muslim countries should unite and raise the voice on the issue.
Walid Abu Ali, Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, said "we want strong Pakistan to back up Palestine." Palestinians were being targeted by Israel but international community had doubly standards and they did't support Palestine but supported Israel when Israeli soldier was killed, he lamented. Ambassador Amir Anwar Shadani (Retd) said Israel was using latest warfare technology against Palestinians which was unacceptable.
Senator Sehar Kamran said 82 percent of peoples killed in Gaza were civilians and mainly women and children, adding until Muslim world leaders would sit on one table and collectively raise their voice, nobody would listen their voice. Sara Flounders, Co-Director IAC, US, via video-link said Israel wanted to divide Palestine in segments; hence US should stop all US Aid to Israel.
Ambassador of Sudan to Pakistan, Elshafie M Ahmed said Israel had support from US, EU, some Asian and Muslim countries, adding it was the time to wake up and get united for the sake of Gaza and Muslims and raise the voice which was only possible by following Islamic teachings. David Shoebridge, Green member of New South Wales parliament, Australia speaking via video-link said Australian people were supporting Palestinians and International community must support UN inquiry for war crimes by Israel.
High Commissioner of Mauritius to Pakistan Muhammad Rashed Daureeawo said Jews were human beings but Zionists had extreme plans and they had manipulated media for it. Temel Karamollaoglu Vice Chairman Saadet Party Turkeyvia on video-link said "Muslim countries should take action against Israeli brutality in Gaza and develop mutual policy otherwise today what is happening is Gaza, can happen tomorrow in any Muslim country."
Bosnia's Ambassador to Pakistan NedimMekarevic said "UN has always played ineffective role for Palestine issue as it did for Bosnia crisis so we shouldn't expect much from it."
Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel (Retd) High Commissioner of Maldives to Pakistan said Israel was violating the basic human rights of the Palestinians; hence his country had banned the trade with Israel and "we call upon all countries for the same." High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan Dr Hasrul Sani bin Mujtabar said Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza and it was the issue of whole humanity.-PR