ISLAMABAD: On behalf of his nation, Palestine's ambassador to Islamabad on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Pakistani people and leaders for efforts to support Palestinian freedom and their solidarity with Palestinians in the wake of recent Israeli attacks.
Pakistan has been vocal in its support of Palestine, especially as the latest wave of violence escalated in the final days of the fasting month of Ramadan, starting from Israeli police firing at Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and ending in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which between May 10 and May 21 killed over 240 people, destroyed thousands of homes and disabled critical infrastructure in the Palestinian territory.
During an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 16 and last week's UN General Assembly session, which eventually resulted in a Gaza ceasefire, Pakistan demanded an immediate stop to the attacks and said Israel should be held accountable for crimes against humanity.
"Your efforts are greatly appreciated for speaking up and pushing for an emergency session of the OIC meeting and UN General Assembly to hold a cease-fire, de-escalation and an end to atrocities. Pakistan played an important role in building, steering the discussion and building a consensus. This historical act will be remembered, not only by the Palestinians, but the entire world, and it will be a history to remember for generations," Ambassador Ahmed Rabei said in a statement.
During the Gaza crisis, Pakistani leaders demanded that the international community push for a stop to Israeli violence and urgently implement a series of United Nations resolutions that call for the establishment of a Palestinian state, the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and an end to Israeli settlement building on Palestinian land. They described the support for the Palestinian cause as a "defining principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy."
Numerous protests were also held in Pakistani cities in solidarity with Palestine during the recent crisis.
"I am extremely grateful to all the people of Pakistan for the unwavering support you have given to Palestinians, your message of unity has strengthened and encouraged the spirits and boost the morale of the beleaguered Palestinians," Rabei said.
"Although the war on Gaza ended, our struggle to get our freedom continues. INSHALLAH by working with our Pakistani brothers side by side we will free Palestine and we will all pray together in Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds Al-Shareef, the capital of Palestine."
