Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution condemning Israeli military attacks on Palestinians and demanding that Benjamin Netanyahu be tried in the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity.
Over 200 of the 350 MPs from both the treasury and opposition benches adopted the resolution moved by senior lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.
During a discussion following the adoption of the resolution condemning the Israeli military operation, the prime minister reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
“We have been with our Palestinian brothers. We will do everything possible for them. If necessary we will bring them to Bangladesh for treatment. We will provide medicine and tents for them,” said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, amid table-thumping from attending MPs irrespective of party affiliation.
She demanded that Tel Aviv quit occupied Palestinian land and called Israel’s attacks an “extreme violation of human rights.”
“What is the fault of the children?” an emotionally charged prime minister asked, showing photos of children and women who were victims of Israeli attacks.
“Bangladesh will stand by them, no matter who else does so,” she said.
The prime minister criticised the global powers including those in the Arab world for their silence.
“I do not know why the world conscience is not moved,” she said.
The Israeli aggression is similar to the one endured by Bangladesh in 1971 and the massacre of 1975, Hasina said, breaking into tears.
Pin-drop silence prevailed in the House for several minutes.
“What torture! We see a hue and cry for human rights over trifling matters. Letters upon letters arrive over a single murder. Does the world’s conscience not move for this?” she said, not specifically referring to letters sent by the US calling for the investigation of the murder of garment leader Aminul Islam.
Sheikh Hasina said Hamas should be tried if it committed wrongdoing.
“But this [Hamas attack] does not justify the murder of innocent people,” she said.
Hasina said the UN secretary general and the US secretary of state had earlier telephoned her to save some of those convicted for crimes against humanity.
“Where are they now?” she asked, while also questioning the role of the Islamic world.
“If the Muslim Ummah was united, Israel would not dare to launch such an attack,” she said.
“We ask them [Israel] to leave Palestinian land. The Palestinian state must be established. We censure Israel, we condemn them,” she said reiterating Bangladesh’s unflinching support for the Palestinian state.
MPs criticised the US government for backing and arming Israel, flouting its own advocacy of human rights across the globe.
