TOKYO: Waleed Siam, the envoy of Palestine in Japan, sought sympathy for the people of Gaza in a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday and alleged the Western countries of hypocrisy and using a “narrow lens” to view the current situation in the Middle East.
“I stand in front of you to address the lasting Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the envoy said in his opening remarks.
Palestine Envoy in Japan Blames Western Countries of Hypocrisy
“Unfortunately, some people see history via a narrow lens, only focusing exclusively on the latest wave of violence. We must realize that the people of Palestine have endured one lethal year after another, a matter of serious concern that has persisted far too long, bringing uncountable suffering to both and Israeli and Palestinian populations.”
“I would like to start by clarifying that we, the Palestinians, unequivocally reject any rhetoric, dehumanizing such as that propagated by the ultra-right-wing Israel’s government, which has branded us as animals.”
Waleed Siam said the sufferers of the conflict are not to blame. “We must hold the world accountable, especially those countries that have supported Israeli army occupation and perpetuated biases.”
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The envoy said that there was a certain indifference by some countries in holding Israel responsible for their acts, alleging Israel of prioritizing “colonization and occupation over peace, openly violating global law for decades.”
Waleed Siam also wanted to focus on the awful humanitarian conditions that some Palestinian people have to live in.
“Palestinians in Gaza are enduring terrible living conditions,” he added. “No electricity, no water, no medical supplies, these are close by to those found in concentration camps. It is heart-wrenching to see the support for unlawful settlements and the encouragement of the unlawful settlers to continue their racist assaults on Palestinian people on Palestinian land.”
The envoy added the illegal settlers are given weapons to assault Palestinians, while other attacks also target religious holy sites in the region.
He said that as per global law, the occupier forces cannot claim self-defense. UN affirms the right of occupied people to resist in any form they choose.
