ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed the ongoing atrocities and “grave human rights violations" in Palestine with his Saudi counterpart on Friday, "condemning" the escalation in attacks by Israeli troops.
In a phone call with Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Qureshi also "expressed Pakistan’s serious concerns on the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque," which triggered widespread protests by Palestinians last week, a statement by Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
"[FM Qureshi] condemned the continued attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against the Palestinians, in particular innocent civilians and children, adding that the Israeli acts defied all norms of humanity and international law," it added.
Prince Farhan Al Saud shared “concerns at the serious developments in Palestine” and briefed FM Qureshi on the initiatives taken by the Kingdom to address the situation.
Tensions erupted after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque – Islam's third holiest site – on Friday last week, attacking Palestinian worshippers using rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
Israel bombed Gaza with artillery fire and airstrikes on Friday, with the total death toll from the fighting, which continues to escalate, reaching 126, including 119 Palestinians and seven Israelis.
Hundreds of Palestinians have also been injured in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories.
Addressing the spike in violence, the two foreign ministers recalled a joint statement issued by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the Kingdom on May 8, highlighting the countries' shared perspective on the Palestinian issue.
FM Qureshi reaffirmed Islamabad’s "full support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital," as per the Arab Peace Initiative and UN resolutions, the statement said.
He also welcomed the Kingdom's move to convene an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC’s) Executive Committee on Sunday before assuring the Saudi FM of Pakistan’s "unequivocal support for the just cause of Palestine.”
