Bangladesh Parliament protests against Gaza atrocities

Parliament has adopted an unanimous resolution condemning the Israeli atrocities on Palestinians in Gaza.

The motion was adopted on Tuesday, on the second day of the third session of the 10th Parliament, following the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians in a 51-day offensive in Gaza by Israel.

Parliament also backed the demand for a free Palestinian state and the restoration of its territory from Israeli occupation.

Parliament leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Bangladesh will stand for Palestine even if no one does.”

Former minister Suranjit Sengupta praised the Hamas for armed resistance and the killing of 119 Israeli soldiers.

Participating in the general discussion on the resolution proposed by Awami League presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, both ruling and opposition MPs passed the resolution on voice vote.

The prime minister compared the Israeli atrocities to the Pakistani army’s brutality in the Liberation War and expressed her sympathy for the Palestinians.

“We stand by our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will provide treatment for them. If needed, we will bring them here for treatment,” Hasina said.

Holding up images of children killed and injured in Gaza, she said, “What crime have these children done?”

She berated human-rights groups for their silence on the Israeli offensive. “Those who talk about human rights in our country are quiet now,” she alleged.

“Those who send letters to us when something happens here are quiet too.”

“The US secretary of state, the UN secretary general, who call us to prevent the hanging of war criminals, where are they now?” she asked.

“I condemn Israel. They should be put on trial for this attack.”

The prime minister also criticised the Muslim nations for being silent on Gaza.

“I am shocked; why is the Muslim world silent? What are they afraid of? If the Ummah were united, Israel could never have made this attack,” she said.

Hasina called on the United Nations to take effective steps to resolve the Palestinian crisis. “You cannot make excuses. You must take effective measures,” she said.

She reiterated Bangladesh’s support for a free Palestine.

“Israel must remove itself from occupied territory. Palestine must be declared a free nation,” Hasina said.

Other ministers and MPs also took part in the discussion.