PAKISTAN has all along been quite rightly supporting the people of Palestine and it is good to note that the Palestine Solidarity Day was officially observed throughout the country on Friday.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reiterated that the government and the people of Pakistan would continue supporting their Palestinian brethren and presenting their case at every forum.

The day was observed to demonstrate complete solidarity with the Palestinians in the wake of Israeli troops killinmg Palestnian men, women and children during clashes and protests along the Gaza border against the US embassy opening in Jerusalem on Monday.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the other day also called for an independent inquiry into Israel’s state terrorism in Gaza.

M.Z.Rifat

Lahore

(2)

THE controversial US decision to shift its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the subsequent killing of unarmed Palestinians by the Zionist forces are unfortunate and should be condemned by all at every forum. This act by the American government is a mockery of international law and against the very spirit of human rights.

The shifting of the embassy followed the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last December. Despite protests from around the world the US went ahead with its decision. The US broke the consensus evolved after the 1967 war that the status of Jerusalem must be negotiated by the two sides.

It is time for the world community to stand up against US unilateralism.

Abdul Razzak Surahio

Hyderabad

(3)

THE United States’ declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and its unilateral withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) further strengthened US-Israel relations. During the relocation of the US embassy ceremony, Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin termed the contentious move a historic win for both countries. No opposition or resistance was seen from the Gulf states.

Israe’s expansionist ambitions, supported by the US, have emboldened the former in the West Bank. The silence of of the Organisation of Islamic countries and the Arab League in this regard is deplorable.

Noor Ahmed

Nawabshah

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2018