Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan hosts National Palestine Conference in Islamabad

Under the auspices of Jamaat-e-Islami , Pakistan’s national leadership, intellectuals, scholars and members of civil society convened on the 17th October 2023 in Islamabad, Pakistan, to issue a Joint Declaration on Israel’s brutal aggression on Gaza and West Bank.

The conference called for international bodies to hold those responsible for the violence accountable and highlighted the need for immediate cessation of hostilities while emphasizing a lasting solution through the establishment of a free Palestinian state.

The conference called for international bodies to hold those responsible for the violence accountable and highlighted the need for immediate cessation of hostilities while emphasizing a lasting solution through the establishment of a free Palestinian state.

Joint Declaration

National Palestine Conference

October 17, 2023, Islamabad

1. This national conference, representing the national leadership, intellectuals, scholars, civil society and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, unequivocally condemns Israel’s recent brutal aggression on Gaza and the West Bank, unfolding humanitarian disaster in Palestine and criminal negligence of the Western powers towards it. According to official figures, 2,780 Gazans, including 900 innocent children, have been killed and around 9,600 have been injured since the Israeli aggression started on October 8. Israel’s brutality has also claimed around 90 lives in the West Bank. Daily life is on a halt and critical infrastructure has been destroyed.
2. Israel has intentionally targeted hospitals, schools, worship places, buildings carrying civilian populations, non-combatants including children, women and elderly, humanitarian workers, human rights activists, and media professionals in its offensive on Gaza. This is a blatant violation of universal human rights and international humanitarian law. The UN Security Council, International Criminal Court and human rights organizations must play their effective role and hold war criminals accountable for their notorious crimes.
3. Israel has been trying to deceive the world and walk away from its war crimes by justifying its brutality as a reaction to Hamas’ provocation on October 7. In reality, the Hamas offensive was itself a reaction to the illegal occupation, ruthless dispossession of indigenous people and brutalities that Israel has been carrying out for 75 years. This forum is of the view that the conflict did not start on October 7, 2023; rather, it began with the occupation of Palestinian land in 1948. The Palestinians have been deprived of their land and their homes have been occupied for more than seven decades. Therefore, while immediate cessation of the current violence is imperative, finding a real and lasting solution to the conflict is equally crucial.
4. The real solution to the Palestine issue and unrest in the wider Middle East is the establishment of a free, autonomous state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. This conference calls the global community to recognize Palestine as an autonomous state in order to prevent any further bloodshed.
5. Global powers, the UN and its bodies are duty-bound to take decisive steps to stop Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank. The supply of food, water, electricity, fuel and medical support also needs to be restored immediately. All UN bodies must take practical actions against the violation of human rights by Israel and ensure the protection of civilians irrespective of their geographical and political affiliation. Moreover, it needs to be acknowledged that Israel is a racist state that bases its laws and policies on apartheid and hatred discriminating on the basis of religion and race. A civilized world must isolate such a rogue state.
6. The global community must not wait for a massive humanitarian disaster and must exert pressure on Israel to stop its bombardment and siege of Gaza. Regional powers need to play their role in bringing the conflicting parties to the negotiation table for immediate de-escalation and ensure an uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN must act swiftly and decisively to establish a sustainable framework for a just and equitable resolution to the conflict.
7. Some Muslim countries have raised strong voices on the recent escalation. However, the collective response of Muslim governments cannot be considered satisfactory, keeping the gravity and intensity of Israel’s aggression in view. Muslim governments and organizations need mutual consultation for a strong and unified stance. The global community requires practical steps to stop Israel from its brutal offensive in Gaza. OIC, which was established to strategize the Palestine cause and protect Al-Quds, should immediately convene its emergency meeting on the issue with an aim to adopt a focused strategy. OIC should take Israel to the International Criminal Court for its war crimes. Moreover, the Muslim countries need to reconsider their relations with the states openly supporting Israel for its atrocities in Palestine.
8. The Muslim world should also establish a ‘Global Palestine Fund’ to extend humanitarian support, including food, medical aid and other basic commodities, to the besieged Gaza. Direct access to Gaza and the West Bank should also be maintained to expedite humanitarian assistance. The role of Palestine’s Muslim neighbors would be crucial in this regard.
9. Unity and cooperation between all Palestinian entities striving for the cause of Palestine is of key significance. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority must sit together to mend their differences for a unified struggle in the face of illegal occupation and aggression.
10. Muslim countries that have normalized ties with Israel and those considering this option should use this opportunity to reconsider their policies. While Israel has only intensified its occupation and atrocities on Palestinians, normalization means legitimizing its occupation and atrocities of over seventy years.
11. The states that have put their weight on Israel’s side in the current conflict, those who support irrational and illegal Israeli stance and those who stand neutral in this conflict must understand that military might and material resources neither decide right or wrong nor guarantee ultimate success. This has been proved in several wars, even in the 21st century. Nations and states must not choose between right and wrong based on so-called national interests and prejudices. Israel’s actions in the Middle East and atrocities by India in occupied Kashmir have worsened only due to such selfish policies of global powers.
12. Academics, intellectuals, opinion-leaders and policymakers also need to understand that the current system of global governance, which is based on lust for power, selfish interests and unjust alliances, has only brought unrest, conflicts, and wars to the world. States should continuously be reminded to prefer principles over interests and base their decisions and policies on universal moral, ethical norms, and international legal requirements.
13. This conference highly acknowledges the just voices being raised in every part of the world. These voices have been warning Israel against its atrocities and illegal occupation while keeping aside their national, religious, ethnic and professional affiliations. While several Western media groups have been exposed for their biased reporting in the current conflict, many journalists are trying to unfold reality while performing their professional duties in Palestine, the Middle East and other parts of the world. They must be praised for the fact that they are fulfilling their professional duties despite many threats in the line of duty.
14. Pakistan has maintained its principled stance on the Palestine issue despite many internal and external pressures and lucrative offers. Historically, Pakistan has played a key diplomatic and political role at every important moment of the conflict. This forum calls for the government of Pakistan to come forward with a leading role in the current escalation, too. The government of Pakistan needs not only to reemphasize its traditional stance but also to ensure moral, diplomatic and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people. The forum demands the government establish a ‘Palestine Fund’ at the state level and make concrete arrangements to contribute to humanitarian assistance in coordination with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the UN and other stakeholders.

END