Ties with Israel would be ‘political suicide’ for BNP, says Palestine envoy

Palestinian Charge d’Affaires in Dhaka Yousuf S Ramadan has said ties with Israel will be a ‘political suicide’ for any Bangladeshi party, as allegations of such links involving BNP have surfaced.

Ramadan was speaking at a programme in the embassy on Saturday to mark Palestine’s Nakba Day in commemoration of the displacement that preceded and followed the Israeli declaration of independence in 1948.

Bangladesh, in support of Palestine, has not recognised Israel as a state.

It will be a ‘political suicide’ if any Bangladeshi individual or party builds up ties with any Israeli politician, party or intelligence agency, Ramadan said.

Awami League leaders have alleged BNP is out to topple the government using Israeli intelligence agency Mossad after a BNP leader met an Israeli politician in India.

The BNP leader, Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury, says he did meet the Israeli politician but did not know about his identity.

Ramadan said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and another leader came to him after reports on the meeting was published with a group photo that includes Aslam and the Israeli politician.

Mirza Fakhrul told Ramadan that his party has no relations with Mossad and did not know about the meeting, the Palestinian envoy said.

He said he asked the BNP leaders to be more careful because the people of Bangladesh will not accept any such link with Israel.

“The BNP supporters will deny the party support if such incidents happen,” he said.

He hoped discussions on the issue will not be repeated.

He also praised the government for its stance against Israel.