RAWALPINDI: Several prominent Pakistanis, including the country’s top leadership, turned to social media demanding justice for Palestinians and urging the international community to address ongoing atrocities by Israeli troops with #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa becoming the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan amassing 1.13 million tweets on Tuesday.
Tensions escalated in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem over the weekend after Israeli forces tried to evict an entire Palestinian community and hand over their properties to ultra-extreme Jewish settlers.
More than 90 Palestinians were injured during the Israeli police crackdown on Palestinian protesters on Saturday, while 200 were wounded on Friday after Israeli forces attacked tens of thousands of worshippers praying inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the oldest and holiest sites of Islam.
Videos of both incidents have since gone viral on social media, prompting reactions from all over the world, including Pakistan.
“The violence in Jerusalem – especially against children – is unbearable. This long conflict has cost many children their lives and their futures. Leaders must act immediately – there is no peace when children and civilians are not safe,” Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel laureate and human rights activist, said in a Twitter post.
The violence in Jerusalem – especially against children – is unbearable. This long conflict has cost many children their lives and their futures. Leaders must act immediately – there is no peace when children and civilians are not safe. #AlAqsa https://t.co/bLv3XyA1OV
— Malala (@Malala) May 10, 2021
Pakistan President Dr. Arif Alvi termed the incident as “Israeli apartheid” and a “shame,” calling out the incident on his personal Twitter account: “It is a shame that Israeli apartheid against Palestinians continues. Atrocious attack on peaceful praying Muslims is given the usual media spin of ‘clashes’.”
“My brothers don’t lose hope,” he added.
It is a shame that Israeli apartheid against Palestinians continues. Atrocious attack on peaceful praying Muslims is given the usual media spin of 'clashes'. My brothers don't lose hope. Time is near when International Politics will be based on morality & not on vested interests.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) May 9, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned the attack before reaffirming Pakistan’s continued support for Palestine.
“Strongly condemn Israeli Forces’ attack esp during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & int law. We reiterate support for Palestinian ppl. Int community must take immed action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights,” he said.
Strongly condemn Israeli Forces' attack esp during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & int law. We reiterate support for Palestinian ppl. Int community must take immed action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 9, 2021
In a strongly worded Twitter post, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari condemned the “Israeli state terrorism against Muslims praying in Al Aqsa mosque.”
“Earlier this Ramazan Israeli security forces had forced their way to Mosque’s minarets & stopped Azaan. Then they prevented Palestinians from traditional Iftar in the courtyard of the mosque. Now, this,” she added.
Strongly condemn Israeli state terrorism against Muslims praying in Al Aqsa mosque. Earlier this Ramazan Israeli security forces had forced their way to Mosque's minarets & stopped Azaan. Then they prevented Palestinians from traditional Iftar in courtyard of mosque. Now this. https://t.co/jinRtaf8OW
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 8, 2021
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi echoed Mazari’s sentiments, adding: “Condemn in strongest terms attack on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, first Qibla of Islam, by Israeli Occupation Forces in the holy month of Ramzan. Such brutality is against very spirit of humanity & human rights law. Pakistan stands steadfast in support of Palestinian cause.”
Condemn in strongest terms attack on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, first Qibla of Islam, by Israeli Occupation Forces in the holy month of Ramzan. Such brutality is against very spirit of humanity & human rights law. stands steadfast in support of Palestinian cause. pic.twitter.com/R727WUKZUp
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 8, 2021
Meanwhile, prominent journalist Nadeem Farooq Paracha tweeted a photo of the Palestinian flag to his more than 600,000 followers, summing it up with: “That’s it. That’s the tweet. #Palestineforever”
That’s it. That’s the tweet.#Palestineforever pic.twitter.com/EQodI6V6J3
— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) May 9, 2021
Singer Asim Azhar also voiced opposition to the Israeli attacks on “defenseless worshippers,” adding: “I am sickened & disgusted. How can you attack a place of a worship & attack defenseless worshippers? And yet again, the world will stay silent on Israel’s continuous oppression on Palestine. Ya Allah reham! #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa #PalestiniansLivesMatter”
I am sickened & disgusted. How can you attack a place of a worship & attack defenceless worshippers? And yet again, the world will stay silent on Israel’s continuous oppression on Palestine. Ya Allah reham! #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa #PalestiniansLivesMatter
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) May 8, 2021
Singer and actor Farhan Saeed also expressed his frustration at the “lack of action” from the world, as more videos from Palestine poured out on social media.
“The world’s deafening silence is criminal! How can the international community sit back and watch this happen? This IS terrorism!!”
The world's deafening silence is criminal! How can the international community sit back and watch this happen?
This IS terrorism!!https://t.co/N8EQQn2nN3#AlAqsa#AlAqsaMosque #AlAqsaUnderAttack— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) May 8, 2021
