World

Pakistan reaffirms steadfast support to Palestinian cause

Such brutality by Israel forces was against very spirit of humanity and human rights law, says foreign minister

APP May 09, 2021

A Palestinian man prays as Israeli police gather during clashes at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, amid tension over the possible eviction of several Palestinian families from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 7, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday, while strongly condemning the Israeli attack on worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, reiterated that Pakistan stood steadfast in support of the Palestinian cause.

“[I] 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,” the foreign minister wrote on his official Twitter handle.

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

He said that such brutality was against the very spirit of humanity and human rights law.

“Pakistan stands steadfast in support of Palestinian cause,” the foreign minister remarked and said the country had also strongly condemned the way the Palestinian people were being evicted from their homes.

A Palestinian gestures during clashes with Israeli police at Damascus Gate on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramazan, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 8, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

Talking to different television channels while being in Saudi Arabia accompanying Prime Minister Imran Khan on his three-day visit, Qureshi said the people of Palestine must be given their right and the Israeli aggression against them must come to an end immediately.

The foreign minister welcomed the summoning of urgent meeting of Arab League and called it a “timely step.”

Read: Pakistan slams Israel's Al-Aqsa attack, urges world to protect Palestinians

He said the Arab League, OIC and other countries championing the human rights must take notice of the situation.

Palestinians pray on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramazan, at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 8, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

“I am happy that Arab league summoned an urgent meeting. Arab League should unanimously talk on and attract attention of the western states towards this issue,” he said.

Palestinians pray in front of the Dome of the Rock on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramazan, at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 8, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

To a question, he said that the unity of Muslim Ummah will inevitably attract the attention of the western powers to the issue.

Qureshi said the Muslim states would have to foil the designs of some powers, trying to create difference among Ummah. By this way, he added, the Muslim world could raise their unanimous voice through the platforms of OIC and Human Rights Council.