An online panel discussion entitled “Israeli Aggression in Gaza and the Plight of the Palestinians” was organized jointly by ILKE Foundation for Science Culture & Education, Istanbul and Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The panel included senior names from three different countries including notable Palestinian-American author and journalist Ramzy Baroud, senior Pakistani politician and geo-strategist Mushahid Hussain Syed, Istanbul based Palestinian journalist and academician Ali Abo Rezeg and senior policy analyst Khalid Rahman. The panelists shared their thoughts about the latest Israeli offensive against residents of Gaza in a joint session moderated by Istanbul based academician and researcher, Ahsan Shafiq from ILKE.

Watch the full program @ ILKE's YouTube page

Ramzy Beroud explained recalled the recent pressure from US on different countries including Pakistan on recognizing Israel. He explained how he was told to make a case for Pakistan to recognize Israel in which articles he contributes to Pakistani media outlets. He thanked Pakistan for not having made the decision to recognize Israel despite immense pressure. He asserted that Palestine is not a subject just for Muslims but Muslims are a core to this place. Senator Mushahid Hussain highlighted in his talk the pragmatic steps possible to end the plight of the Palestinian Muslims specially by sending them aid through a joint flotilla by several countries. He explained with references to Quaid-e-Azam’s speeches how Pakistan’s stance on Palestine even predates the very creation of Pakistan. He recalled how Pakistan was the only non-Arab Muslim country whose pilots went and fought against Israel in two Arab-Israel wars. Dr. Ali Abo Rezeg recalled the events that lead to the recent crisis including the forceful eviction of Muslim families from the district of Sheikh Jarrah and attack of Israeli forces on the compound of Masjid Al Aqsa in the holy month of Ramadan. Chairman IPS, Khalid Rahman concluded the session and referred to the 2018 resolution of ICP that makes aggression subject to International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction and talked about the possibility of using it to charge Israel for its aggression against Palestinians.

Dr. Ramzey revealed that, “I have lately been writing articles for some magazines and newspapers in Pakistan and I was told to make a case that why Pakistan should not be normalizing with Israel”. Mushahid Hussain referring to Pakistan’s policy on Israel commented that “Pakistan’s policy on Israel has not been enunciated by any party or any government, but the founder of Pakistan, the great leader Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah even before the creation of Pakistan.” He praised Turkish president Erdogan for taking the lead stating, “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shown guts and vision and Pakistan has also joined hands with Turkey”. In this context he stressed the need of sending humanitarian supplied to Gaza to lift the blockade, to seek secession of Israeli aggression and send humanitarian supplies”. He also added that Israel should be tried for committing war crimes against humanity for what they have done as well as plauded Hamas in the following words, “I would also like to salute the leadership of Hamas which has taken a very strong position and for firing 3000+ rockets despite relentless aerial bombing by Israel”.

The event was broadcasted through ILKE’s and IPS’s youtube channels and was followed by viewers from several different countries. Viewers were given an opportunity to ask questions through the online streaming pages of the two organizations, ILKE and IPS. 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.