ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has voiced criticism regarding the “silence” of Muslim leaders in the face of the ongoing bombing of Gaza by Israeli forces in response to the rocket attacks launched by Hamas last week.
Addressing a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Karachi on Sunday, he criticized those who merely condemn attacks on Palestinians and then wait for another tragedy. He stated that if Muslim countries do not unite in supporting Palestinians and choose to remain neutral, it would be interpreted as siding with the US and Israel.
Haq further asserted that Israel cannot sustain its occupation of Palestinian lands and predicted that Israel and the US would meet a fate similar to that of NATO and Russian forces in Afghanistan.
He emphasized that people with a conscience stand with Palestine, and Pakistan has demonstrated its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and Al-Aqsa mosque.
Haq noted that, in the face of Israeli brutality, Hamas responded and demonstrated its resilience.
The JI chief commended the Saudi government for discontinuing normalization talks with Israel and highlighted talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran on the Palestinian issue.
He addressed the argument that some suggest focusing on Pakistan’s economy rather than supporting Palestinians, asserting that it is a time to stand up for Palestinian rights rather than bowing to global institutions.
He also mentioned that Israeli forces were preparing for a potential ground invasion of Gaza with the aim of dismantling Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for a significant attack in Israel’s history.
In the eight days following the attack by Hamas gunmen, which resulted in over 1,300 Israeli casualties, Israel responded with a devastating bombing campaign that claimed the lives of over 2,300 people in Gaza.
