ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Upper house of the Parliament on Tuesday discussed the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, with members condemning the actions and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman labeled the Israeli aggression as state-sponsored terrorism, citing reports from organizations such as Save the Children that thousands of children in Gaza had lost their lives.
She expressed outrage that innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, were being intentionally targeted in the second ground attack on Gaza. Even hospitals and aid convoys were not spared, a blatant violation of the Geneva Convention.
She emphasized that this occupation war violated all international laws and expressed disappointment in some Western powers for sponsoring the conflict. She called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and a two-state solution to the issue.
Senator Zarqa Suharwady added that Israel’s goal was to eliminate the Palestinian people and create a greater Israel. She highlighted the massive demonstrations against Israeli aggression in European and Western countries and noted that even some Jews were opposing these inhumane acts. She urged Pakistan to take a leadership role in resolving the conflict.
Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, who has written a book called “Smile Snatches,” based on fiction depicting children in conflict areas, especially Kashmir and Palestine, expressed that the current situation was far worse than fiction. He pointed out that small coffins were the heaviest to bear and stressed the importance of the Muslim world standing against this suppression. He questioned whether targeting innocent children, women, and the elderly could be justified as self-defense.
He expressed concern over arrests in other countries of people who demonstrated for Palestine and called for charges against Israel and its collaborators for war crimes, especially the use of phosphorus bombs and uranium.
Senator Khalida Ateeb noted that the dispute was long-standing, and the international community’s silence was concerning. She called for Muslim unity and a strategy that demonstrated their solidarity. Hospitals and Gaza University were targeted, and people were being forced to evacuate the area. She urged human rights champions to take practical steps rather than just passing resolutions.
Senate Calls for Boycott and Economic Measures Against Israel
Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand condemned the atrocities against innocent Palestinians and mentioned that 75% of over 8,000 casualties included children, women, and the elderly. He suggested that the Muslim world could exert pressure on Israel by boycotting its products.
Senator Nuzhat Sadiq pointed out that the use of phosphorus bombs was a war crime and called for international pressure on Israel to stop its aggression against Palestinians. She also emphasized the need for UN resolutions to be implemented.
Senator Danish Kumar questioned the international community’s silence over the massacre of Palestinians and the lack of implementation of UN resolutions from 1947. He suggested donating one year’s salary of all senators for providing food and medicines to the people of Gaza.
Senator Sajid Mir highlighted that Palestinian people had suffered from Israeli aggression for a long time. He believed that Hamas’s actions were a reaction to Israeli oppression and expressed disappointment in the silence of self-proclaimed champions of human rights and democracy. He called for bringing Israel to the international court for war crimes and using economic measures, including oil as a weapon, to hold Israel accountable.
