KARACHI: A large number of teachers and university staff participated in a protest held on Monday on the campus to condemn Israeli violence and bombardment on Palestinians and express solidarity with them.

A walk was organised by Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) on the campus.

Speaking at the start of the protest walk organised in the arts lobby, teachers highlighted the dynamics of the burning issue and called upon all Muslim states for unity to launch a struggle for the freedom of the holy city of Jerusalem.

They raised slogans against Israel and the global powers supporting the blatant violations of human rights in the region by their silence.

The US, they said, had proved once again that it’s directly involved in crimes against humanity by vetoing a resolution on Israeli aggression.

Kuts holds protest on KU campus

“It’s extremely important to resolve the Palestinian issue as it’s linked to global peace. All Muslim countries need to strengthen their diplomatic efforts to create understanding and bring the international community on one platform on this matter,” said KU Vice Chancellor Prof Mohammad Khalid Iraqi.

He was of the opinion that the continued bloodshed in Palestine reflected diplomatic failure of all Muslim states in pursuing the matter.

Kuts president Prof Shah Aliul Qadar regretted that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation played no effective role whatsoever which had encouraged terrorism against Palestinians. “Muslim unity is the need of the hour without which we can’t succeed against Israel.”

Prof Jamil Kazmi, former Kuts president, said “we must start investing in education, science and technology because that’s the only way Muslims will have a say in global issues.

“The success of Israel lies in its skill and competency in science and technology. It’s time we realise that.”

Tracing the history of Israeli aggression, Dr Osama Shafiq said the birth of the Israeli state was illegal.

“For 70 years, Palestinians have been evicted out of their ancestral land on the excuse of settling the Jews. This is a severe violation of human rights.”

He also criticised the international media and accused it of being hostage to Israeli propaganda.

Prof S.M. Taha questioned the silence of global powers that sprang into action when Buddha statues were blown up in Afghanistan in 2001 and said why they couldn’t raise their voices when 67 children were martyred and 50 schools and hospitals were bombed.

“The world has to do away with this dual policy as it is destroying global peace,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2021