Pakistan concerned over recent violence in occupied Palestinian territories
Pakistan has strongly condemned the violence by Israeli occupation forces in occupied Palestinian territories and called upon the international community to protect Palestinians.
“Pakistan views the recent alarming developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with serious concern,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The violent acts by Israel include harassment of people coming for prayers, arrests of innocent Palestinians and other arbitrary restrictions in violation of fundamental human rights. “These illegal measures have seen an upsurge since the onset of the holy month of Ramadan” Pakistan noted with great concern.
“Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. For just and lasting peace, it is imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State,” the statement read.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, Israeli forces have banned Palestinians from sitting in the Damascus Gate area in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem where Palestinians gather during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The situation escalated when Israeli settlers launched attacks on Palestinians in the flashpoint city. Hundreds of Palestinians have been injured in clashes and at least 100 Palestinians have been detained.
Palestinian territories including the West Bank and East Jerusalem have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. The Israeli occupation is considered illegal under international law.