ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday hailed a report by Amnesty International on Israeli apartheid against Palestinians as an “international instrument.”
The term ‘apartheid’ was originally used to refer to a political system in South Africa which explicitly enforced racial segregation, and the domination and oppression of one racial group by another. It has since been adopted by the international community to condemn and criminalize such systems and practices wherever they occur in the world.
Amnesty International said its new investigation showed that Israel imposed a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians across all areas under its control: in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against Palestinian refugees, in order to benefit Jewish Israelis.
Laws, policies and practices, which were intended to maintain a cruel system of control over Palestinians, had left them fragmented geographically and politically, frequently impoverished, and in a constant state of fear and insecurity, the UK-based rights group said.
Quoting the report, the OIC said Israel’s system of oppression and domination over Palestinians constituted a “crime against humanity.”
“The OIC hailed the report as an international instrument, considering it yet another confirmation of the violations, crimes and racial policies of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people,” it said on Twitter.
Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories since the six-day war of 1967. Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, some 475,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank regarded as illegal under international law, alongside more than 2.9 million Palestinians.
Clashes break out frequently in Palestinian population centers in the West Bank when Israeli troops mount incursions to carry out arrests.
Amnesty’s 280-page report features a slew of allegations against Israel. One of the most egregious and widespread is the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people, whether through home demolitions, intimidation, legal mechanisms or by the creation of adverse living conditions.
The OIC called on the international community to take necessary measures to make Israel account for its violations, crimes and policies of apartheid against Palestinians.
OIC hails amnesty report accusing Israel of enforcing 'apartheid' on Palestinians
https://arab.news/j5s7p
OIC hails amnesty report accusing Israel of enforcing 'apartheid' on Palestinians
- The term ‘apartheid’ was originally used for a political system in South Africa that enforced racial segregation
- Amnesty says Israeli laws, policies had left Palestinians impoverished, fragmented geographically, in constant state of fear
Santas on camels lead Christmas rally in Pakistani capital
- Hundreds join year-end procession in the capital, chanting and marching in festive dress
- Christians make up only 1.37% of Pakistan’s population, according to the 2023 census
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Pakistani Christians marched through Islamabad in a Christmas rally on Sunday, with men dressed as Santa Claus riding camels and waving at crowds as they chanted greetings ahead of the holiday.
The gathering showcased one of the country’s most visible Christmas celebrations, held in a nation where Christians remain a small religious minority. Census data from 2023 puts the Christian population at less than 1.37 percent nationwide, though communities are concentrated in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
For participants, the rally was both festive and symbolic, an open display of faith near the heart of the capital.
“My heart is filled with gratitude. We are very thankful to the government of Pakistan, the army, the police, and everyone for supporting us during our event, especially the event for minority communities,” said 27-year-old Arsalan Masih.
Standing beside him as camels passed through Zero Point, a central traffic junction, electrician Shafiqui Saleem said the group celebrated openly each year.
“December has started, and we are enjoying our Christmas celebrations. This is why we have started this rally, to praise our Lord and celebrate His coming, as He was born in the month of December to bring salvation to this world. We are very happy to enjoy December.”
Saleem said the procession reflected a sense of belonging despite being a minority in the country.
“Despite being a minority, we have never faced any obstacles here in Islamabad,” he said.
“You can see that today, we were granted permission to hold this rally from Zero Point, and the authorities are managing the traffic and supporting us. It is wonderful that, despite being a minority, we are receiving a lot of support.”
