Bangladesh to reiterate call for independent Palestine
Mahmoud Abbas due tomorrow
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
Dhaka will reiterate its call for a viable independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital during the three-day official visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Bangladesh that begins tomorrow. The visit, at the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, is
going to be the first bilateral one by a Palestinian President since late President Yasser Arafat made a trip to Bangladesh in 1997. A special plane carrying President Abbas and his delegation comprising Palestinian Foreign Minister, Chief Justice, Presidents Spokesperson, Presidents Diplomatic Affairs Advisers and senior civil and military officials will arrive at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at noon, according to a Foreign Ministry press release issued yesterday. President Hamid is likely to receive his counterpart at the VVIP terminal, said sources at the Foreign Ministry.
While in Bangladesh, President Abbas will pay a courtesy call on his Bangladeshi counterpart and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both the leaders will discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Both the sides will look for new avenues so that more assistance can be provided for Palestine. Currently, some Palestinian students are receiving education, some military officials are undertaking training and some experts are working in different fields in Bangladesh. Granting Palestinian products duty free access to Bangladesh will also be discussed.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is likely to be signed with regard to formation of a Foreign Minister-level joint commission.
We all know the reality. They dont have an independent state therefore the scope of engagement with them is narrow. The visit is more like a goodwill visit, a senior diplomat told The Independent.
Another senior diplomat said, We are going to provide President Abbas the same protocol we give to other Heads of State and government. People of Bangladesh have a special corner for the Palestinians and our hospitality is going to reflect that.
Bangladesh, since its inception, has always been vocal for the causes of Palestinians with particular regard to the sufferings of millions of people due to the statelessness. Bangladesh favours an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. Dhaka is also vocal against the Israeli atrocities against Palestinian people.
And, Palestine always gratefully acknowledges that Bangladesh has done enough.
During President Abbas visit, Dhaka is going to reiterate its pledge that it will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinians and it will extend possible cooperation to Palestine, said another senior diplomat.
Prior to losing independence in 1948, Palestine had a land of 27,000 square kilometres. Israel captured 70 per cent of the land in 1948. From the remaining land, Israel has confiscated 42 per cent for settlements, violating international law. The Israeli settlements are continuing unabated.
Currently, The State of Palestine is a de jure sovereign state that is recognised by 136 UN members and since 2012 has a status of a non-member observer state in the United Nations. It has an area of 6,220 square kilometres.
Of the 13 million Palestinians, 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. It is needless to say that the Palestinians are leading a miserable life, particularly those who live in refugee camps.
Bangladesh-Palestine relations go back a long way. It has been learnt that Bangladesh is one of the 29 countries in the world that does not recognise Israel. After Independence, Israel recognised Bangladesh, but Dhaka refused to accept the recognition. Even, Bangladeshi volunteers fought against Israel with Palestinian fighters till 1980. While Bangladesh and some other countries are internationally vocal for the statehood of the Palestinians, the international community especially the West led by the United States is indifferent to the causes of the Palestinians. There is virtually no pragmatic move visible to provide the Palestinians a state they deserve. And, it will be a miracle if things get better for the Palestinians under a Donald Trump presidency. During election campaign, Trump repeatedly said that US would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that will undoubtedly make the things even worse.
