Senator Mushahid condemns US double standards on Gaza
Leader of the Pakistan Parliamentary delegation Senator Mushahid Hussain to the annual conference of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), condemned the Israeli war crime against the Palestinian people on Thursday and accused the Western world of ‘hypocrisy and double standards’.
In his address, the senator at the general assembly of IPU, urged to counter the Islamophobia that is causing an increase in the amount of violence against Muslims.
The IPU comprises 170 member parliaments, in which Pakistan has an active role as an elected member of the Executive Council, the Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians, and the Committee on Peace and Democracy.
Three fundamental points
In his speech, Mushahid made three fundamental points. First, he said that Palestinian resistance to illegal Israeli occupation was ‘justified under international law and the UN Charter’, as it was a natural reaction to 56 years of occupation and brutal Israeli practices, including the killing of innocents, the senator added.
Secondly, he added that ‘western hypocrisy and double standards’ specifically from the United States are complicit in Israeli war crimes that opposed a ceasefire in Gaza that has escalated causalities.
The senator added that the US has been supporting Israel in the carnage that has resulted in numerous bombings of hospitals, including Al Ahli Hospital, where more than 500 children were killed.
Conclusively, the senator also added that Israel has always termed the Palestinians 'terrorists' whether they were Yasser Arafat or Hamas, and that despite the allegation, they won the 'most free election in the Middle East’ in 2007, which was termed by US President Jimmy Carter.
End to genocide
Putting forward the demand, Mushahid demanded an end to the ‘Gaza Genocide’, an end to a 16-year-old blockade of Gaza, calling for an end to the long-standing Israeli occupation. Adding more, the senator also argued to put an end to the daily desecration of holy places and religious texts. Further, he demanded a free Palestinian state along with declaring Jerusalem its capital.
Islamophobia
While discussing Islamophobia, the senator said that the phenomenon is a threat to interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence, as its roots stem from hate, bigotry, and racism that lead to violence against Muslims living in the West. Adding more, he said that the core beliefs of Muslims and their devotion to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are often harmed due to these acts. He has asked for ‘necessary legislation’ for the Muslims living in the West.
Oppose militarism
In his speech, the senator opposed the notion of militarism and the new cold war, also rejecting the expansion of NATO to Asia. Furthermore, the senator also praised China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a way forward in the 21st century.
He also highlighted the country’s relations with Africa and articulated Pakistan’s support for the African liberation struggles in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.
The Pakistan Parliamentary delegation session was also attended by various senators, including Shahzad Waseem (Leader of the Opposition), Senator Sadia Khaqan Abbasi, and Senator Attaur Rahman, assisted by Secretary Senate Qasim Samad and Pakistan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Murad Baseer.
Earlier, this month, the senator was awarded the Silk Road Award during a media cooperation forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The award was in recognition of his contribution to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).