
ILKE holds Live Session on Rebuilding of War-torn Gaza
An online panel discussion
entitled “Reconstruction of War-torn Gaza” was organized by ILKE Foundation for
Science Culture & Education, Istanbul on Monday, May 31, 2021. The panel
included senior names from four different countries including the popular American
political scientist and author Norman Finkelstein, a known civil society leader
from Turkey Huseyin Oruc, UK based Palestinian journalist Jehan Alfarra and
secretary general of Pakistan’s Alkhidmat Foundation Shahiq Iqbal. In a joint
session moderated by Istanbul based academician and researcher, Ahsan Shafiq
from ILKE, the panelists shared their thoughts about the damage caused to the
Gazan strip as a result of latest Israeli offensive as well as the need for
reconstruction efforts to rebuild the city.
Jehan who is associated with
Middle East Monitor recalled her days of Gaza where she experienced several
attacks while she was living there. She also narrating several accounts of journalists
and reporters from Gaza. Despite the mere lip service World community does
every time Palestine is under attack, she was hopeful of the current
development and termed them different from the past.
Huseyin Oruc, a veteran of Mavi
Marmara and vice chairman of IHH recalled the incident of freedom flotilla that
was sent 11 years ago to lift the blockade of Gaza and in which tens of his
friends lost their lives. Oruc accoladed the joint efforts of Muslim countries
including Turkey and Pakistan in raising the issue worldwide. Oruc also
suggested to send another flotilla of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians.
Shahid Iqbal from Alkhidmat
foundation briefed the viewers about Pakistan’s stance for a free Palestine. He
also detailed the humanitarian relief efforts his NGO has done to send aid to
residents of Gaza and explained how people from different countries can play
their role in rebuilding of the city.
The event was broadcasted through ILKE’s YouTube
channel and was followed by viewers from several different countries. Viewers
were given an opportunity to ask questions through the online streaming page.
The discussion concluded with Q/A session after which the moderator Ahsan
Shafiq thanked each of the guest speakers individually and the viewers from all
over the world who were virtually connected to the event.