adminHind Siam Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe joined other members of the international community on Tuesday in strongly condemning Israel’s high-handed actions, following Monday’s protests by Palestinians that resulted in the death of about 60 protesters, mostly by gunfire.
More than 2 700 people were injured along the Gaza-Israeli border on the eve of Alnakba.
A number of people joined the Palestinian embassy in Harare on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the day of Catastrophe commonly known as Alnakba, among them members of the diplomatic corps; senior Government officials, including Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa; members of the Friends of Palestine Solidarity Movement; civil society; and, the Palestinian community in Zimbabwe among others, to castigate the occupation of Palestine by Israel.
They also raised concern over the movement of the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade deputy director, Mr Tamuka Muranga said on this 70-year anniversary, the Government and people of Zimbabwe share the grief at the senseless loss of lives of the Palestinian people.
Mr Muranga also said the nation looked back at the painful events that occurred in 1948 and resulted in over 700 000 Palestinians being expelled from their homeland.
“We note with great sadness that over 58 protesting Palestinians were shot dead and hundreds of others injured by Israeli soldiers on the eve of Alnakba. We (Government of Zimbabwe), extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the government and people of the state of Palestine, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
“As your struggle for a free Palestinian state continues, let me reiterate Zimbabwe’s full support for United Nations Security Council resolutions, which call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the establishment of a free Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital.
“We call on the international community to do more to revive the stalled peace talks to make a reality the vision of the two states of Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace.”
He assured the people of Palestine of Zimbabwe’s unwavering support towards their cause: “Zimbabwe stands ready to work with the state of Palestine to enhance and strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Officiating at the function on Tuesday evening, Palestinian Ambassador Taghrid Senouar said, the Alnakba Day meant, “Catastrophe of dispossession, denial, and injustice.”
She added, that Alnakba marks the day of the establishment of Israel as well as the injustice done to the inhabitants of Palestine creating the largest refugee population with six million out of 13 million Palestinians, being refugees.
“This sad occasion coincides with other sad events that took place yesterday (May 14), and that is the relocation of the US embassy to occupied Jerusalem, defying international law, and rejecting UN Security Council resolutions relevant to the Palestinian national rights.
“This action only serves to further embolden Israel, the occupying power, to step up its illegal actions against our people and lead us further away from peace,” she said.
The relocation of the US embassy as well as Gaza being under siege for over seven weeks has caused turmoil in Palestine with the number of injured people reaching over 10 000.
“Since (sic) more than seven weeks now, our people who are under siege in Gaza and people in other parts of Palestine are protesting peacefully against the siege and the Israeli occupation, and demanding their right of return are being killed by the Israeli soldiers using live ammunition. Sixty one were killed and more than 2 700 injured totalling the number of injuries to 10 000 people since the beginning of March,” she said.
“The state of Israel was declared part of Palestine in 1948, exposing the Palestinian people to untold suffering due to ethnic cleansing operations… and forcing around 800 000 of Palestinians into exile, destroying their towns, later to become the largest refugee population in the neighbouring countries and inside Palestine itself. Those militias committed massacres and crimes that they were not accounted for,” Ambassador Senouar said.
Ambassador Senouar appreciated the support Palestine was receiving from Zimbabwe and all supporting friendly countries.
Online Reporter