Stance on Gaza

A new radical stance by the US and Israel on their erstwhile Palestine policy has come as a disgusting shock. In contravention of the norms of civilisational ethics, international law and UN resolutions, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu now insists that a 'Palestinian state' can come into being in Saudi Arabia. This graduation in xenophobia has come after President Donald Trump's suggestion of evicting Gazans from the besieged strip and converting it into a Mideast riverine, and subsequently relocating the existential race in other neighbouring Arab states. Pakistan, in line with its conventional policy, was swift and right in condemning the weird proposal. It huddled in proactive diplomacy with Iran and Turkiye, describing the proposal as an utter disregard to the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination and to an independent state.

The twists and turns, however, are not new. The Zionist state, apparently emboldened by Trump's return, has come up with the new mantra of denying the earlier agreed synopsis of Two-State solution on the premise that it is "no longer viable after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks". This is nothing but opportunism of realpolitik, and is meant to hide the crimes that Tel Aviv committed in Gaza and West Bank. The ICJ has indicted the Jewish state for genocide, making it liable to address the issue in relevance with humanitarian law. Similarly, Trump's somewhat confused positioning on Gaza seems to be an outcome of his first term's jingoism wherein he legitimised Israeli settlements in the West Bank; recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital; choreographed the Abraham Accords; and ruthlessly backed Israel's crimes against humanity.

Pakistan must take up the issue with the OIC and extensively interact with major stakeholders in the Muslim world to denounce the Israeli designs. Islamabad's assurances to Iran and Saudi Arabia that it will lead from the front is genuine leadership. The upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyab Erdogan to Pakistan must set the ball rolling, and a roadmap be drafted for the liberation of Palestinians from repression and slavery.