Top leaders of the BNP have dismissed criticism of the party for remaining silent on the humanitarian disaster in Palestine, labelling it as baseless. They say there is no need for a separate reaction from the party, as BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has already expressed his stance on the issue and called for a peaceful solution.
The leaders argue that the BNP is a liberal democratic party in the country and not a religious party, which is why they have refrained from making a party-wide statement. In this case, they believe the issue must be approached cautiously.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a Standing Committee member, said: "The initial response came from the highest level of the party on the Palestine issue. Beyond this, there is no room for further party-wide reaction."
He added: "Central leaders do not need to issue a separate statement when the party chief has already spoken on this sensitive matter. Our position is clear in Tarique Rahman's tweet. We have always been a party against bloodshed and violence. The Palestinian issue is international, and the party's acting chairman has made clear the party's stance."
Over the last few days, several Awami League leaders have questioned why the BNP remains silent while Israel is conducting a massacre against Palestinians with the support of the Western world. The government and the Awami League have strongly condemned the Israeli aggression and engaged with different countries to push for a peaceful solution.
AJM Nasir Uddin, the general secretary of the Chittagong City Awami League, addressed the BNP in an event. He asked: "Why is the BNP silent about the US and Western world's actions against Palestinians? Yet they seek to come to power with the support of their Western masters and the European Union."
Selima Rahman, another member of the BNP Standing Committee, told Dhaka Tribune: "There is no need to take a side. The BNP's position is against violence. Personal opinions of others are not relevant here. Our acting chairman has spoken on the issue of Palestine. What he has said from his position represents the party's stance."
While various political parties, including some factions of the ruling Awami League, and other religious groups in Bangladesh are protesting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there is no consensus on this issue at the central level of the BNP.
The son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, who was convicted in multiple cases, has been staying in London since 2008. He tweeted on October 9, but party leaders within the country have remained silent.
In his tweet, Tarique condemned the conflict and called on the UN, OIC, and world leadership to diplomatically resolve the issue.
BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said: "When it becomes necessary to address this issue, our acting chairman's statement will serve as the party's policy. That is the party's position. Our party has made a statement on the Palestine issue."
A mid-level leader of the party, seeking anonymity, said: "Usually, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party's foreign affairs committee comment on such incidents, but I believe the top leadership of the BNP is aligning with Western policy on the Palestine issue."
He explained that the party's acting chairman made a statement from an authoritative position. Many party leaders took the matter seriously but refrained from making a specific public response.
The BNP's leaders maintain that the party is acting in accordance with international policy. They believe this issue should not be diverted.
