Civil society rally calls for prolonged ceasefire, permanent solution to Israel-Palestine issue

Like in the rest of the world, Karachi’s civil society, politicians, film and TV actors, journalists and citizens from other segments of society also became the voice of the people of Palestine, and sent a clear message to the world in a massive rally on Wednesday that the Pakistani nation stood with the oppressed Palestinians.

In a show of unity for the noble cause, political parties, social movements, labour organisations, professional bodies, and universities and college students observed International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People during the rally that was orgainsed by the Palestine Solidarity Committee, Karachi.

The rally started from Naumaish Chowrangi from where the protesters marched towards Sharea Qaideen. A large number of women, children, elders and youths, participated in the event. They were holding the Palestinian flag in their hands and chanting slogans against Israeli oppression.

While talking to The News, Dr Qaisar Sajjad of the Pakistan Medical Association said that on November 29 people across the globe observed Palestine Solidarity Day. The entire world has only one demand, i.e. to stop “Isreal’s oppression against Palestinians”, he added.

He said that earlier it has never been observed that a country has bombed hospitals and intentionally targeted civilian population. Israel cut off access to the affected areas, UN bodies were stopped, and broders were closed, he said, adding that patients and injured people died because of lack of medicines and oxygen, but the world remained silent and witnessed this barbarism and genocide.

Dr Sajjad said that the world leaders and the United Nations should come forward and stop Israel. Pakistani doctors are ready to go to Gaza and help the people, he said, adding that the world must ensure access to Gaza. He said that not only the ceasefire should be on prolonged on a permanent basis but also a permanent solution to the conflict is needed.

Rights activist Sheema Kermani said they cannot watch silently the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinian people. She called for continuously raising voice for an end to the Israeli atrocities.

The rally was also attended by leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party and Awami National Party.

Talking to the media, Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that someone can’t just trespass into anybody’s home, torture them, kill them and then the neighbours would say that let’s divided the home between the dweller and the trespasser. It can’t be a solution; it would be injustice and facilitation to the criminal, he added.

The JI leader welcomed the idea of the solidarity march and said that people of conscience across the world have been protesting against Israel as Hamas leader Ismael Hania has appealed to continue the protest.

He said that unfortunately those in the corridors of powers in Pakistan don’t take any practical step against Israeli terrorism, and despite having resources, they do not condemn Israel properly just to please the United States.

MQM-Pakistan Senior Deputy Convener Nasreen Jalil, while talking to the media, said that Israel’s aggression and barbarism against the Palestinians is continuing, while the innocent people of Gaza and the West Bank are helpless. Even the United Nations seems helpless to come up with a permanent solution and free the Palestinians from the atrocities of Israel, she lamented.

She said that it is the moral duty of the Muslim Ummah to support the Palestinians. Due to the lack of basic facilities, epidemics are spreading in Gaza, children, and women, and aged people are suffering due to food shortages as a result of Israel’s blockade, she said and stressed that the world must come forward and help the oppressed people of Gaza in this difficult time.

Jalil said that the rulers of the Muslim Ummah should also realize their responsibility regarding the issue of Palestine. An effective voice should be raised in the United Nations and other organisations.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that he participated in the rally to express solidarity with the people of Palestine. “The people of Karachi participated in a large number participated in the rally to condemn the Israeli occupation. Karachi sent a message to the world that the city stands with Gaza and strongly demands an end to Israeli oppression and barbarism against the innocent people.”

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A large number of women participated in the civil society’s Palestine Solidarity March that was held from Shahrah-e-Quaideen to the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Wednesday — The News photo by Shoaib Ahmed

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Muhammad Zubair, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Naeemur Rehman and others participate in a Palestine Solidarity March held from Shahrah-e-Quaideen to the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Wednesday — The News photo by Shoaib Ahmed