For the past eight months, Israel has been ruthlessly subjugating Palestinian Muslims, perpetrating atrocities of a magnitude rarely witnessed in modern history. This sustained campaign of oppression includes egregious human rights violations and acts tantamount to genocide, supported, either overtly or tacitly, by numerous Western nations. The scale of devastation wrought upon Gaza is unparalleled, exceeding the destruction seen in Afghanistan and Syria over several years. The relentless bombardment has obliterated schools, hospitals, and refugee camps, rendering a significant portion of the population destitute and forced to endure under the open sky. The infrastructure of Gaza lies in ruins, with 90% of the population deprived of basic necessities such as electricity, gas, fuel, food, water, and essential medicines. Reports indicate that over a million Palestinian Muslims teeter on the brink of starvation, with the United Nations warning that these individuals are perilously close to death. Humanitarian aid organizations like UNRWA have been disingenuously accused and sanctioned, exacerbating the already dire situation. This has created an intolerable living condition for the residents of Gaza, where survival itself has become an arduous struggle against insurmountable odds.Despite global denunciations, the Israeli military’s onslaught persists unabated, particularly in regions like Gaza, Jabalia, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis. The siege of the Rafah crossing is especially contentious, with Israel exerting control over the ingress of all aid from Egypt to Palestine, effectively strangling the lifeline of essential supplies. This blockade is not only a humanitarian disaster but also a blatant violation of international laws and human rights. It is a calculated effort to break the spirit of the Palestinian people by depriving them of the basic necessities of life, thereby forcing them into submission. The unflinching support of the US, UK, and many European governments for Israeli actions underscores a stark moral dichotomy between the forces of righteousness and malevolence. The complicit silence of Western governments in response to the massacre of defenseless children and women in Rafah is damning. This protracted conflict is exacerbating global tensions and fostering interfaith animosity, thereby destabilizing an already volatile geopolitical landscape. The duplicity of these Western powers, who claim to champion human rights and democracy, yet turn a blind eye to the egregious violations by Israel, is a glaring indictment of their hypocrisy. Palestine holds profound religious significance for the three Abrahamic faiths, yet the ongoing humanitarian crisis stands in stark contrast to the teachings of justice and compassion intrinsic to these religions. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the unity of the Muslim Ummah, likening it to a single body wherein the affliction of one part reverberates throughout the whole. Consequently, it is incumbent upon Muslim nations to coalesce and undertake decisive measures to expunge the Zionist occupation from Palestine. This is not merely a political or territorial issue but a moral and ethical imperative that calls for unified action and solidarity among Muslim nations. Regrettably, the pusillanimity and inertia of many Muslim countries are conspicuous, as they remain reticent in confronting the escalating Israeli barbarity. A multitude of Muslim nations has yet to sever diplomatic relations with Israel. If these countries unified and implemented resolute measures, such as imposing comprehensive diplomatic and trade embargoes on Israel, the Zionist military might be compelled to desist from its egregious actions. The economic and political pressure from a united Muslim front could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict, compelling Israel to reconsider its aggressive policies.
In universities across the US, protests against Israeli actions are met with severe crackdowns, with students facing accusations of anti-Semitism, a charge that is often misused to stifle legitimate criticism of Israel. This raises a pertinent question: are only Jews considered Semitic? Are Palestinian Muslims, who also descend from Semitic peoples, not entitled to the same protection against racial hatred? The manipulation of the term “anti-Semitism” to silence opposition and delegitimize the Palestinian struggle is a strategic ploy that obfuscates the real issues at hand.
The irony is glaring—those who helm the so-called Jewish state of Israel predominantly hail from Ashkenazi Jews, whose ancestry traces back to Eastern Europe, far removed from the Semitic lineage. This demographic reality underscores the fallacy of the monopoly over the term “anti-Semitism” and its exploitation to suppress dissent. It is a gross misrepresentation to label all criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic, particularly when such criticism is rooted in the defense of human rights and justice for the Palestinian people. The lack of significant protests in major universities in Pakistan against the oppression of Palestinian Muslims is a matter of national shame. On occasions like Youm-e-Takbir, when Pakistan celebrates its nuclear capabilities, a resolute message should have been conveyed to Israel, but instead, mere ceremonial observances took place. The apathy of the academic community and the political leadership towards the plight of Palestinians reflects a broader indifference and complacency that pervades the Muslim world.
As a nation with a formidable and well-trained military, Pakistan has a moral obligation to champion the cause of Palestinian Muslims. Muslim countries must sever diplomatic ties with Israel and impose stringent economic sanctions. If Muslim nations collectively boycott Israel, it would deliver a substantial economic blow and exert significant pressure. This unified stance would not only support the Palestinian cause but also send a strong message to the international community about the resolve and solidarity of the Muslim world.The government of Pakistan should also become a party to the ongoing cases against Israel in international courts, leveraging every global forum to enforce compliance with international legal decisions. The global community must be mobilized to ensure that Israel adheres to the rulings of international courts. This legal and diplomatic pressure can be instrumental in holding Israel accountable for its actions and securing justice for the Palestinian people.
Every Israeli citizen undergoes military training, emphasizing the necessity for Muslims to receive training in self-defense and the enforcement of justice. The concept of jihad in Islam, often misunderstood and misrepresented, encompasses the struggle for justice and the protection of the oppressed. In accordance with the OIC charter, it is imperative to extend diplomatic, financial, and military support to Palestinians. If Muslim nations do not unite against Israel and its allies, they risk perpetual subjugation and the erasure of their narratives. The Palestinian struggle is not just a regional conflict but a global issue that resonates with all those who believe in justice, human rights, and the sanctity of life. It is a litmus test for the international community’s commitment to these principles. The Muslim world, in particular, must rise to the occasion, transcending sectarian and political differences, to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. This is a moral imperative that calls for courage, unity, and unwavering resolve.
—The writer is contributing columnist based in Quetta , Balochistan
Gulab Umid
