ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the violence by Israeli occupation forces in occupied Palestine territory and called upon the international community to take prompt action to protect Palestinians.

“Pakistan views the recent alarming developments in occupied Palestinian territories with serious concern,” the Foreign Office said in a statement issued here on Monday.

The Foreign Office mentioned that the violent acts by Israeli forces included harassment of people coming for prayers, arrests of innocent Palestinians and other arbitrary restrictions in violation of fundamental human rights.

“These illegal measures have seen an upsurge since the onset of the holy month of Ramazan,” it said.

“Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination,” the FO statement added.

It said that for a just and lasting peace it was imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian state.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2021