Israeli police clashed with Muslim protestors on Sunday at a flashpoint Jerusalem Old City shrine as Jews were headed there to mark a religious holiday, reports Dawn.
According to the police, in the early hours of the morning, Palestinian “youths began throwing stones at the Temple Mount esplanade towards police forces, who dispersed them”. There were no official reports of arrests or injuries.
The incident took place on the Jewish festival of Tisha B’av, when according to tradition, both Jewish temples located on the Temple Mount were destroyed.
The Waqf condemned the “violations and attacks” carried out by “Jewish fanatic groups, with the support and political cover of the Israeli government,” it said in a statement carried by official Palestinian website Wafa, claiming Israel was “aiming for a religious war”.
Newly sworn-in premier Naftali Bennett, who is from Israel’s religious right but heads a coalition including leftist and Islamist parties, said he had “instructed that the organised and safe visits by Jews to the Temple Mount continue while maintaining order at the site”.
In a second statement following the Waqf and PA condemnations, Bennett stressed that “freedom of worship on the Temple Mount will be fully preserved for Muslims as well”, pointing to the upcoming Eidul Azha.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said she believed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has recognised Israel as “it is not presenting a denial” to reports and statements emphasising Pakistan’s reported acceptance of Israel.
Maryam stressed the government should inform the nation of its decision on Israel. “It’s not your personal decision, it’s something that is linked to 220 million people of Pakistan.”
Commenting on the Afghanistan situation, the PML-N leader asked the government to bring its own house in order first.
“Your foreign policy should not alter in view of a changing political landscape. It should not be based on your political standing,” said Maryam, calling for a unified stance on issues.
Responding to a question on whether the PML-N had entered a deal with the government, Maryam said, “Why do you people call everything a deal. This is an inappropriate question. Why will there be any deal? Are we mad to have a deal with those we are [fighting] against?” she questioned.
Maryam further added, “PML-N is in the strongest position in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and if free and fair polls are held, then our party will win the election with an overwhelming majority.” She added that people had lost trust in the present system in view of “obvious rigging in the past elections”.
The PML-N vice-president said the current approach of the government would take Balochistan further away. “I believe grievances of people of the province should be addressed,” she remarked.
When asked for her point of view on Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s statement that Shehbaz Sharif should generally refrain from making emotional remarks in public and that his [Shehbaz Sharif’s] statement was taken out of context, Maryam replied that she agrees with Khaqan that Shehbaz’s statement was taken out of context.
Former Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfi Bukhari says he has decided to move ahead with defamation proceedings against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after consulting with his legal team.
After consulting with my legal team, I’ve decided to move ahead with defamation proceedings against #Bilawal Zardari for his recent irresponsible remarks. His poor understanding about most things again made him blurt out things fed to him, provoking issues he knows nothing about. pic.twitter.com/e1KnzzpZJA
Bhukari tweeted, “His [Bilawal Bhutto’s] poor understanding about most things again made him blurt out things fed to him, provoking issues he knows nothing about.”
Bilawal Bhutto had recently called on the government to bring “all the facts” about Bukhari’s alleged visit to Israel before the public.
#BreakingNews: We demand that the government of Pakistan bring to light the facts of the meeting between Zulfi Bukhari and the Israeli authorities: Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pic.twitter.com/u1fjAKF61X
Speaking to reporters in the parliament,BilawalBhutto said it would be “very easy” for the government to make public the flight manifest and flight path of the airplane that allegedly carried Bukhari to Israel during those dates.
“If the [airplane] did not pick up Zulfi Bukhari, then who was taken on board” he asked, adding that he felt “something is fishy.”
After Bilawal Bhutto’s statement, Zulfi Bukhari shared a clip of Bilawal’s speech and asked: “Someone who called Jews ‘brothers’ is now asking me to answer rumours.”
Earlier this week, an Israeli publication alleged that Bukhari paid a secret visit to Tel Aviv as a messenger of Pakistani leader, a claim that was instantly denied by the government and personally by Bukhari.
Former Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfi Bukhari has denied going to Israel again, after Israel Hayom — an Israeli national Hebrew-language daily newspaper and news website — claimed on Monday that Zulfi Bukhari paid a brief visit to Israel in the last week of November 2020. The reported cited an unnamed source in Islamabad. Zulfi Bukhari tweeted that he did not go to Israel.
This is Bukhari’s second denial regarding an alleged visit to Israel, months after Middle East Monitor claimed in a report that an adviser of PM Imran Khan visited Tel Aviv in November on his British passport. Middle East Monitor later apologised to Zulfi Bukhari for misreporting. “We accept Mr Bukhari’s refutation of the claims made in the report and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience it has caused,” concluded the letter dated December 23.
Today, Zulfi Bukhari tweeted: “DIDNOT go to Israel. Funny bit is Pakistani paper says I went to Israel based on ‘Israeli news source’ & Israeli paper says I went to Israel based on a ‘Pakistani source’-wonder who this imaginative Pakistani source is.” He further added,” Apparently, I’m the only one who was kept out of the loop.”
DIDNOT go to Israel. Funny bit is Pakistani paper says I went to Israel based on "Israeli news source" & Israeli paper says I went to Israel based on a “Pakistani source”-wonder who this imaginative Pakistani source is🤔
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khurram Dastgir Khan asked for a clarification from the government despite Zulfi’s denial.
— Engr. Khurram Dastgir-Khan (HI) (@kdastgirkhan) June 28, 2021
In November 2020, PM Imran Khan had said that the United States and some Muslim states, which he cannot name because of good ties with them, have been pressuring Pakistan to recognise Israel. However, PM Khan reiterated that Pakistan will never establish relations with the “Zionist” state until a just settlement of the decades-long Palestinian issue.
While Israel continues to commit atrocities against Palestine and Palestinians despite a ceasefire, many people, including Mark Ruffalo and Gigi Hadid who initially called out Israel for committing war crimes and genocide, have now steered the debate towards Antisemitism, urging people to stop harassing Jews for what Israel is doing. Furthermore, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi was also labelled anti-Semitic by CNN journalist Bianna Golodryga after he accused Israel of having “deep pockets”.
Following the brouhaha, Sheheryar Munawar, while sharing his thoughts on the matter, commented: “When reputable foreign media agencies quote more than 200 ‘dead’ (How? Did they one day just internally combust?) and, on the contrary, 12 Israelis ‘killed’, it proves Israel either has deep pockets or has Professor Xavier on their pay roll controlling minds.”
“Or maybe ‘credible’ journalists choose to bring in their own personal biases when reporting on the region (which could count as what racist? No wait, there’s no word for it – it’s known as Islamophobia which in itself justifies the act by using fear as reasoning and takes blame away from the one committing it – wow),” continued the actor.
Munawar further said: “Either way how does stating facts make one anti-Semitic? Does saying Arabs have a lot of oil money make you…umm wait, yeah no word for it…for the sake of argument, Islamophobic?”
In a separate note, the actor explained: “There’s a difference between anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist. Just as every Muslim is not a Taliban, every Jew is not Zionist.”
Munawar further said: “Am I or can the narrative from this side be called anti-Zionist? Yes! But we anti-Zionist because we are anti-fundamentalism, whether Muslim or Jewish.”
Agreeing with Qureshi’s “deep pockets” remark, Sheheryar said: “But when Jewish toxic fundamentalism is backed by $3.8 billion dollars of US Military funding (sponsored by US tax payer money), then I have no qualms about calling a wolf a wolf specially when it doesn’t even have the courtesy to at least try and hide in sheep’s clothing.”
Meanwhile, Hania Aamir called out a local media outlet for “yellow journalism” and portraying Qureshi in negative light.
“Please choose your captions wisely. Other aspects of the interview could have been highlighted but you chose to highlight the one that portrays the only official Muslim representative who is being vocal about the genocide and calling a spade a spade in a negative light,” said Aamir, adding: “Also at a time when bringing about change on a matter of grave concern – terrorism, settler colonialism etc – is relying on social media you need to show a bit more responsibility.”
“Yellow journalism will be called out. Goes for all other publications. Please use your words wisely and realise your responsibility,” asserted Hania.
The Bangladeshi passport had a note written on it that said it was acceptable for travel to all countries of the world except Israel.
But a few months ago, Bangladesh dropped the words “except Israel” from the new electronic passports.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen confirmed the country’s support for the struggle of Palestinians and condemned the Israeli aggression against civilians.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said the words “except Israel” have been withdrawn from the passports for “administrative convenience”.
“This move will not affect our position . We are strong supporters of Palestine,” said Momen.
Gilad Cohen, the Israeli foreign ministry’s deputy director-general for Asia and the Pacific, said on Twitter: “Great news! #Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step.”
Great news! #Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step & I call on the Bangladeshi government to move forward and establish diplomatic ties with #Israel so both our peoples could benefit & prosper.@IsraelMFA#IsraelLooksEasthttps://t.co/LbOLbm9dfG
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry statement, however, clarified that the removal of the observation has been done to maintain global standards.
“The ban on travel of Bangladeshi passport holders to Israel remains unchanged. The Government of Bangladesh has not deviated from its position on Israel and Bangladesh remains firm on its long-standing position in this regard,” it added.
Israel’s former defence minister Naftali Bennett, in a video posted to YouTube on the Gaza situation, referred to Pakistan’s Shifa International Hospital as Hamas Headquarters where the Al-Qassam Brigade of Hamas has been operating.
“Ever heard of Shifa Hospital? It is the largest medical complex in Gaza. It’s also where Hamas’ headquarters is located while they are conducting terror actions against Israel”, he explained while showing a picture of the Shifa Hospital building in the background.
Shifa International Hospital is a care healthcare facility in Islamabad providing medical services to local as well as international patient communities for over 25 years.
Social media users soon started calling out the ex-minister for the blunder.
A big blunder by Israel's former defense minister Bennett in his YouTube video where he refers to Al-Shifa hospital Gaza as Hamas head office but it’s really the image of Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad!Do get a good researcher at the very least https://t.co/daleQIStWr
— Munizae Jahangir (@MunizaeJahangir) May 21, 2021
Naftali Bennet, former defence minister of Apartheid Israel, lists Shifa hospital in Gaza as Hamas base but shows Shifa intl hospital Islamabad in #Pakistan.
— Asfandyar Bhittani🇵🇰 (@AsfandBhittani) May 21, 2021
At 0:25, what this man claims to be a Hamas base in Gaza is actually Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, which once again proves that these people have zero credibility and will state nonsense, blatant lies to support their agenda. https://t.co/z9E3NBc4cE
The UN Security Council (UNSC) welcomed the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. UNSC members also stressed “the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza.”
According to Al Jazeera, the Palestinian death toll on Saturday stood at 248, including 66 children, with more than 1,900 people wounded from Israeli air and artillery attacks.
Barely a few hours after the ceasefire was reached, Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and used stun grenades and rubber bullets against Palestinians after Friday prayers. Journalists covering the incident were also attacked.
Such highhandedness by Israel is nothing new. The Israelis have not just occupied land in Palestine but the atrocities committed by them against unarmed Palestinians are horrific and countless. Imagine being expelled from your homes and then also being attacked. And to add insult to injury, they are portrayed as being the aggressors instead of Israel, whom the world community says acts in so-called ‘self-defence’. How an oppressor gets away with war crimes is disturbing at so many levels.
We have seen how the world community rallies behind Israel. While Pakistan has been consistent in raising its voice for the cause of Palestine, most Muslim countries just pay mere lip service and move on. We have not seen them stopping trade with Israel or cutting off diplomatic ties in protest. The Palestinians are on their own, it seems. But this cannot go on forever. Before social media, Israel could hide behind its false narrative of being provoked. Now the world can see actual footage of its crimes. We have seen hundreds of videos where children are scared of continuous bombing; buildings being flattened and innocent people standing on the rubble, nursing their wounds. The stories coming out of Palestine are horrific. One man said he “did the strangest thing” when he exchanged how children with his brother’s. “I took two of his children, and gave him two of mine. So in case I get bombed, one of mine will survive and if he gets bombed, one of his will live on.”
These are not just stories; these are lived realities. We hope the Palestinians can one day find peace in their own land and not live in constant fear. These injustices must stop!
Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was announced early Friday morning, Israel ruthlessly attacked worshippers at Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers.
Israel occupation forces attack worshipers in the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque. pic.twitter.com/oPjv0yrXk6
— 𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (@anghamsawalha) May 21, 2021
Israel fired rubber bullets and shelled both Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, Islam’s third holiest site.
Watch | Israeli occupation forces raid the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied #Jerusalem. Several injuries were reported among the worshipers. pic.twitter.com/GZz3Dy4a3c
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza killed at least 243 Palestinians, including 66 children, in 11 days and brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished territory. On the Israeli side, 12 people, including two children, were killed.
Gaza’s largest bookstore was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday. Established in 2008, the shop housed thousands of books, including the largest collection of English literature in Gaza, and was also part of a publishing house that focused on Palestinian writers.
Defending the attack, the Israeli military claimed that the strike was intended to destroy Hamas tunnels.
The two-story bookshop was built 21 years ago and was one of the Gaza Strip’s largest sellers of books for children, students, academics and anyone else who loved to read. He also printed books and published stories written by local authors.
“The books may be under rubble but that will not stop us,” writer Nada Abu Mideen told The National. “We will keep writing to show the world that we deserve life.”
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help rebuild the store.
This wasn’t the only bookstore that was destroyed in Gaza this week. Others, including the Iqraa library, were also either completely or partially destroyed.
Bookstore owner Shaban Aslim can be seen holding back tears as he is interviewed in front of the rubble.
“The bookstore was like my soul,” said Mansour, 53, who was born in the Gaza Strip and said that he had built this bookstore by starving himself.