Unreservedly condemning all forms of violence and terror committed by both parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem has asked how a world committed to a rule-based order could allow deliberate dispossession, detention and dehumanisation of the Palestinian people.

In a statement titled, Encouragement of Hatred in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Must Cease, the SLMC Leader states:

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) unreservedly condemns all forms of violence and terror committed by both parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Continuing loss of innocent lives, and unimaginable misery inflicted on the civil population in the Gaza strip, denial of access and right of worship at holy sites in this ancient cradle of civilisation are developments that shock all mankind.

Deliberate dispossession, detention and dehumanisation of the Palestinian people is a blatantly brutal blot on the collective conscience of the world that is committed to conduct international relations in a rule-based order as envisaged in the United Nations Charter.

While condemning all acts of terror at the root of which remain continued provocations of unprecedented intensity in recent months, we urge all parties to exercise restraint and begin negotiating in good faith with a view to realising a sustainable and pragmatic solution of two states existing side by side within pre-1967 borders, in peace and prosperity.

The New Middle East that is unilaterally sought to be achieved by current Israeli leaders who have embraced forcible annexation as state policy will only further exacerbate this century-old conflict. As long as breath remains in the human breast the people of Palestine will continue their struggle and longing for their right to breathe the air of freedom and right of worship.

We appeal to all parties in the Middle East and Arab World to be wary of the intentions of those who seek to use the façade of diplomacy to offer dubious rewards to further subjugate a population under occupation.

Hatred only begets hatred. And hatred doesn’t cease by hatred. All encouragement of hatred from all quarters, either by supporting one faction against another or one party against another in the theatre of conflict, should stop forthwith.

The double standards manifest in the policies and positions of North America and Europe vis a vis the Palestinian people, which also characterise much of the official stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of Sri Lanka’s immediate neighbour aspiring to be the leader of the Global South, leave much to be desired. Responsible powers, whether global, regional, or leading as they prefer to call themselves, should act in a mature, prudent, and balanced manner, without prodding the occupier towards more hatred, but by exercising their responsibility delicately to help the parties move towards enduring peace with justice.