Center for Islamic Studies CIS
It is with utmost horror and revulsion that the world today is witnessing one of the worst atrocities perpetrated against an innocent people in flagrant violation of all principles of internationally accepted humanitarian rules of conduct.
The Palestinian people have for too long endured the continuous oppression of the Zionist state which continues to dispossess them of their lands, build illegal settlements, destroy homes and families and kill innocents including children. They have now more than ever before become the target of a relentless campaign by the Zionist state to exterminate them altogether through incessant bombings, containment, starvation and deprivation of medical care with the blessings of Western governments that have woven a culture of impunity around it.
The latest string of atrocities is unspeakable to say the least with the loss of over 3000 civilian lives including over a thousand innocent children which establishes the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians. The bombing of Al Ahli Hospital proves the extent to which the Zionist state is willing to go to achieve its terrible agenda in callous disregard to all norms of humane conduct.
The state of Israel has for long been allowed to continue with its oppression for just two reasons, the unconditional support of Western governments or their deafening silence in spite of the wishes of the majority of their citizens who want a peaceful resolution to the conflict where the just rights of the Palestinian people are recognized in a full-fledged independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
We at the Centre for Islamic Studies have through our Harmony Center been continuously working towards peace-building and understanding between communities, and see a lot of effort being made in building bridges and removing barriers all over the world, all except a racist apartheid state that still continues with its repressive policies and inspires other racially motivated organisations and states to continue with such policies, little realizing that one extremism always breeds another.
We therefore call on the Government of Sri Lanka and the International Community to take urgent steps to campaign for and ensure the Palestinian people have their right to life, limb and land safeguarded.
We further urge that measures be taken to ensure that they be treated as equal human beings and that the ongoing blockade against Gaza depriving them of basic needs such as water, electricity and food and medical supplies be lifted at the earliest and without any more delay.
