Indulgent West spoiled Israel
As Israel continued killing innocent Palestinians in Gaza for what it says crushing Hamas militancy, protesters in Bangladesh yesterday ripped into the West's "blind support" to the Zionist state and the United Nations' failure to stop the blatant human rights violation.
In the last two weeks of air raids and ground assault since July 8, more than 550 residents of Gaza have been killed and thousands displaced, with the death toll mounting every day.
Addressing as chief guest at a human chain in front of the capital's Jatiya Press Club, BNP leader Brig (retd) ASM Hannan Shah criticised an indulgent West. “The responsibility of the killing of the Palestinian people by Israeli forces also goes to the western countries,” he said.
He blamed the neighbouring Arab nations, too. Israel is carrying out the atrocity because of the silence of these countries, Hannan Shah told the programme, organised by Agrashan Protirodhe Jatiya Committee (National Committee to Resist Aggression).
The BNP leader demanded that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in London on an official visit, apprise the British government of Bangladeshi people's condemnation of Israel's military offensive.
At a separate human chain at the same venue, former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said like the trials of world leaders for war crimes, including in World War II, the Israeli leadership should be brought to court for committing genocide in Gaza.
“The support of Bangladeshis for the Palestinian liberation movement will always be there. Our government should play a role to stop Israel's atrocities,” he told the programme, jointly organised by the Women for Good Governance and Sammilito Nari Samaj.
As in the last few days, organisations working for children kept on their protest against the loss of the lives of a huge number of children in the Israeli barbarity.
Under the banner of Children Bangladesh, around 500 children from different organisations formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club.
Some of the participants are Jhingephul Shishukisor Mela, Phulkuri Ashor's Dhaka City Dishari, Dishari Shishu-Kishor Sangha, Kisholoy Shishu Sangha, Sabuj Mela Shishu Association, Shatadal Sporting and Children's Club, and Abhijatri Shishu-Kishor Sangha.
Earlier in the day, students of Dhaka University held a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club under the banner of Agrason Birodhi Chhatra Mancha (Students Platform to Resist Aggression).
Protests swept places outside the capital too.
In Barisal city, Barisal Photography Association and Film Society organised a human chain in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall, while in Moulvibazar town, Anti-Genocide Movement of Moulvibazar formed one in Poura Park area.
Tahjeeb Tamaddun Moulvibazar and Arunodoy Moulvibazar also staged protests in the town.
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