ISLAMABAD: Right-wing Pakistani political party Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan-Fazl (JUI-F) this week condemned Israel’s bombing of the Gaza, calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and urging Muslim leaders to stand together to support Palestine.
Israel has intensified its bombing of Gaza since Palestinian group Hamas launched a multi-pronged attack on the Jewish nation last Saturday. The attack, as per media reports, has claimed at least 1,300 lives while Israel’s bombing of Gaza has resulted in the killing of at least 2,215 Palestinians.
Israel has imposed a blockade in Gaza, preventing food, fuel, and water from reaching the densely populated territory of over two million people. The move has triggered anger and protests in Pakistan by the masses, including journalists and members of the civil society.
In a large public gathering held in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar on Saturday, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman condemned Israel’s bombing of Gaza in strong words, calling on world powers to stop supporting Israel.
“You, who teach us lessons in human rights, look at your own elbows. They are dripping with the blood of Muslims,” Rehman said, referring to Washington and Tel Aviv.
“America did not drop as many bombs on Afghanistan in a year as Israel has dropped on Gaza in a day.”
Rehman thanked Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal for addressing the gathering via video link, saying that the JUI-F’s supporters would help the people of Gaza in their time of need.
“We are ready to provide financial support to you,” Rehman said. “And if our Muslim countries allow it, our youth are ready to fight with you in trenches as well,” he added.
Rehman urged Muslim countries around the world to unite in the face of Israeli aggression and come to the aid of the people of Palestine.
“I want to send them [Muslim leaders] a message: take a united stance as one Muslim ummah,” he said, warning that if “correct decisions” are not taken on time, then it would be too late.
Pakistan has also called on Israel to end its “unjust” blockade of Gaza and allow Palestinians access to food, fuel, water, and electricity.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Saturday that over two million people in the area are now at risk as water runs out in Gaza.
“It has become a matter of life and death. It is a must: fuel needs to be delivered now into Gaza to make water available for two million people,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Saturday.
Gaza’s water plant and public water networks have stopped working due to a lack of fuel, posing risks for Palestinians in the enclave who are now forced to use dirty water from wells.
