Intl community not doing enough for Palestinians
Dhaka has done enough, Palestinian envoy tells The Independent
Palestinian envoy
Since its inception 45 years ago, Bangladesh has done enough for the causes of Palestine and its people, Charge d Affaires of the Palestinian Embassy in Dhaka Yousef S Y Ramadan has said, noting that both the nations can be very proud of the existing relationship. He also said Bangladesh always remains steadfast and vocal internationally for the creation of an independent State of Palestine. The envoy mentioned the United Nations-organised International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, which is observed on November 29 every year, but lamented that unlike Bangladesh, the international community including some Arab states are not doing enough for the establishment of a sovereign Palestine, which lost its independence in 1948.
The relationship is getting better with the time since 1971. It has now reached the highest level. We are extremely proud of the relationship, he told The Independent in an exclusive interview at his office recently.
It is the responsibility of us to protect the relationship, he added.
When asked if Bangladesh did its part in helping Palestinian people, Ramadan said, Look, you have to consider some issues here. Palestine is 4,000 miles away from here and Bangladesh itself is a developing country, which has resource constraints. Despite that Bangladesh has done enough for the people of Palestine. Some Palestinian students are receiving education, some military officials are undertaking training and some experts are working in different fields in Bangladesh, the envoy said.
Leave all these things aside. Bangladesh does not recognise Israel. This is the biggest support, he added.
Ramadan talked about inking some agreements with Bangladesh that will benefit both the nations economically.
When asked to elaborate, he said that the prime minister of Bangladesh has promised that the Palestinian products will get duty free access to Bangladesh and Palestinians can also invest in Bangladesh.
He further said that with good relationship with some Arab countries, Palestine can get Bangladesh LNG, LPG, Crude oil and fuel below market price.
About the international communitys obligation towards the causes of Palestinians, the envoy said that though things have improved a bit with regard to the mindset of the Europeans, the global community is not doing enough.
On the issue of support from Arab countries, he said that some Arab countries are providing good support while some are not.
On the United States role, Ramadan said, We dont talk about them (US). They say yes to whatever Israel says.
Painting a gloomy picture of the Palestinians, he said, Under the nose of the international community, Israel is committing terrible crimes against innocent Palestinian people. And, it is getting away with these crimes due to the indifference attitude of the international community particularly the West led by US.
Israel doesnt want peace with us. Israel exists on war. Their endeavour is to drive all Palestinians out of their land, he added. Palestine had a land of 27,000 square kilometres, said the envoy, adding that in 1948 Israel captured 70 per cent of the land. From the remaining land, Israel has confiscated 42 per cent for settlement violating international law, he said. Of the 13 million Palestinians, Ramadan said 2 million live in Gaza, 2.5 million in West Bank, 1.5 million in Israel and the remaining 7 million are living in different countries and refugee camps. I dont think I need to tell you what a miserable life Palestinians are leading, he concluded.
