JI rejects two-state solution on Palestine

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Saturday addressed the “Echo of Palestine International Conference”, emphasizing that Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and rejected any notion of recognizing Israel. He said: “We do not accept the two-state solution and recognize only Palestine as a state.”

Journalist Hamid Mir, during his address, criticized the Pakistani government for following a colonial-era two-state policy, which Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah had previously denounced by declaring Israel an illegitimate state.

Naeem warned that if Pakistan’s rulers even considered recognizing Israel, the nation would hold them accountable and make them an example of disgrace. He reiterated that the Jamaat-e-Islami also rejected the two-state solution. While focusing on Palestine, he called for a clear and decisive policy on Kashmir from the government, praising the direction of the conference and its positive impacts. He welcomed the international guests present, stressing that the public stance on Palestine is unwavering that the land belongs to the Palestinians, and Israel’s occupation is illegitimate. He pointed out the injustice of European Jews being settled in Palestine and acknowledged the Palestinian sacrifices in response to this injustice. He criticized the US, calling it the “biggest terrorist” for its historical actions and its role in the global political arena. “How can the US call Hamas a terrorist organization when it itself has committed such atrocities?” he remarked. He asserted that Hamas should be supported for resisting Israeli terrorism. He said Hamas is the only force fighting against Israel, while the rest of the Arab world stands by. He suggested that without the events of October 7, some Arab nations would have already recognized Israel.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary-General Ameerul Azeem expressed solidarity with those martyred in Gaza, including children and journalists, noting the bravery of those reporting on the conflict.

Hamid Mir lamented the limited media coverage, accusing powerful global forces of controlling the narrative and criticizing Egypt’s visa policy for journalists covering Gaza. He reiterated Pakistan’s policy on Palestine, which aligns with Allama Iqbal’s vision of opposing colonial policies. He condemned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s support for the two-state solution, calling it contrary to the principles laid out by Quaid-i-Azam.

Al Jazeera journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh, who lost his family in Gaza, recounted that children and journalists were deliberately targeted by Israel, attempting to suppress coverage of its genocide. South African journalist Faisal Daji criticized Western media for promoting the Zionist agenda. Dr Fiza, an anchor, condemned the Muslim Ummah for failing to take decisive action while hospitals and civilians were bombed in Gaza.

The conference highlighted the role of international journalists in exposing the truth, warning that failing to provide accurate information could threaten democracy. Delegates from over a dozen countries including Turkey, Iran, the UK, Iraq, Syria, and Bangladesh will present keynote addresses on the second day of the conference.