Diplomatic Reflections: “A Year of War in Gaza”
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) marked a year of aggression and genocide in Gaza by hoisting a Special Lecture of His Excellency Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the State of Palestine, Nader K. Alturk, who spoke eloquently on “A Year of War in Gaza.”
He listed out the trials and tribulation of a year, and said hapless Palestinians and Gazans are on the receiving end as more than 50,000 are killed, millions are displaced, and almost 80 percent of Gaza has been obliterated. He said that Israel has attacked each and every human and civil installations, under the guise of taking out military targets, and destroyed mosques, schools and hospitals.
He exclusively quoted as to how Israel is throwing to wind diplomatic protocol by terming the UN Secretary-General as persona non grata, and by denying him visa to visit the Jewish state. This speaks of apartheid at work by Israel.
He said that under the International Law, besieged Palestinians have every right to defend themselves and use measures at their disposal in self-defense.
Alturk said that Gaza, a region of 365 km, today is in rubbles and more than a million are displaced, leaving behind the rest to live in a squeezed territory of less than 30 kms.
He particularly mentioned the tactics that Israel and the United States are employing to hoodwink the definition of “Right to return” of Palestinians under the UN Resolutions.
The Palestinian envoy talked about “Greater Israel” plans and showed a map wherein the Zionist state has explicit aggressive deigns over almost all of its neighbours up to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
He said that one year of death and destruction has simply proved the incapacity and failure of international organisations, as well as the UN Security Council that has failed to uphold international security as per its mandate under the UN Charter.
To a question, he said that the legitimate government of Palestine is doing everything in its capacity to further the cause of Palestinian Statehood, and all avenues are being tapped in lawfare and diplomacy.
He voiced concern over the escalation of conflict in the region, especially after the intrusion into Lebanon and the retaliation by Iran on Israel. He said Palestinians and Lebanese have bled together, and are in the war of survival.
Nader Alturk called for full membership of the United Nations, and endorsed the proposal of freezing Israel’s UN membership.
He said that ending the conflict is a must, and not managing it. He regretted and condemned the role played by the US and its allies who are supporting naked aggression by the Jewish state for reasons of realpolitik.
He also stressed for the need of Palestinian unity, and appreciated the role played by China in bringing together estranged political elements.
President IPRI Amb. Dr Raza Muhammad, in his welcome address, said that Pakistan stands with the brethren of Palestine, and termed the year-long terrorism of Israel as genocide. He also underscored the need for pushing the cause of statehood at every forum to realise Two-State solution in the volatile region of Mideast.
