Roundtable: Negotiations, not violence, solution to Palestinian issue
"The Israelis always have a so-called pretext of self-defence, which is also supported by the west," says Ghosh.
Negotiations, not violence, are the answer to the Palestinian issue. But for negotiations to work, both Israel and Palestine should be on equal footing. This was the opinion of former ambassador Amir Anwar Shadani at a roundtable titled “Gaza Israel Current Conflict and Responsibilities of International Community” in Islamabad on Monday, said a press release.
Palestinian representative Husni M Abu Ghosh said half of the over 100 people killed in Israeli attacks are children. The attack is not new, he said. The Israelis always have a so-called pretext of self-defence, which is also supported by the west.
He added that the Israeli forces are also targeting buildings of TV channels as well as journalists to stop them from reporting about their barbarities. He regretted that the United Nations Security Council’s session on the issue remained inconclusive, reflecting its apathy towards persecution of Palestinians and helplessness in front of Israel and its patrons.
The roundtable was organised by Muslim Institute. Columnist Rana Abdul Baqi also spoke at the event.
The speakers adopted various resolutions condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinians. They demanded of the world powers to take all necessary steps to immediately stop the airstrikes.
They also asked the UN and other humanitarian agencies to make necessary arrangements for provision of food, medical facilities and other amenities to those besieged in Gaza.
Through another resolution they urged the UN to honour its own resolutions regarding settlement of Palestinian issue and ensure the same are implemented in letter and spirit.
The roundtable asked the Muslim countries to review their policies on the Palestinian crisis and adopt a united stance for its peaceful settlement and take practical steps in that direction.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2012.