Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the voice of the people across the world, especially Western media, has turned the tide in the Palestinian crisis.
“We now have the power of the social media. The public opinion is shifting [in favour of Palestinians],” he said, in a video message broadcast on television.
He paid tribute to the nation for raising their voices for the Palestinian people. “Ever since Israel was created, Pakistan always had the same stance in line with our leader Quaid-e-Azam, that it was a gross injustice towards Palestinians,” he said.
The premier said Pakistan had always stood side by the Palestinians.
“I was at Masjid-e-Nabvi when I got the news that the Israeli police attacked worshippers when they were praying in Al-Aqsa Mosques on the night of the 27th Ramzan,” said the prime minister, and added that he also learnt of how Palestinians were being evicted from their homes.
He said that the very next day, he met with the secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and urged him to raise the issue via the platform and also stressed the need for the matter to be highlighted at the United Nations.
He said he also spoke to King Salman about the oppression Palestinians are facing and about what happened at Al-Aqsa, and “how we need to raise our voices for this.”
He said he discussed the Palestine situation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad.
He said that he spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and told him the entire Muslim world, and all those countries that advocate for justice, stand with the Palestinians.
PM Imran Khan said he tasked Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi with raising the issue at the United Nations and the OIC “and he did very well to highlight it”.
“I am witnessing a very welcoming sign, which is, that the world’s public opinion is shifting,” he said.
“I have never before seen any criticism coming from the Western quarters, in their media, newspapers, or from their politicians, in the past when Israeli oppression against Palestinians would continue unabated.
“Instead it would be made to appear as if Israel is being subjected to cruelty,” Prime Minister Imran added.
“It is for the first time now that Western media, newspapers and politicians have begun criticising Israel,” he continued.
He said social media has brought this change. It is now a force to be reckoned with. “And with this, I see that the world’s public opinion is shifting.”
He expressed the hope that the day will come when Palestinians will get their own country, a just settlement, and will live as equal citizens.
“We pray that day comes soon.”
