Asia Pacific denounces Israeli aggression in Palestine

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Condemnations poured in from across the Asia Pacific over the killing of Palestinians, including children and women, during incessant Israeli attacks on Gaza.

In a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: "China strongly condemns violence against civilians and once again urges parties to the conflict to immediately cease military activities and hostilities and stop such moves as air strikes, ground offensives and rocket launches that aggravate the situation."

He added that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday told the UN Security Council meeting that the use of force cannot ensure peace or tranquility.

"In particular, Israel should exercise restraint, earnestly observe relevant UN resolutions, stop demolition of Palestinian homes and the eviction of Palestinian people, discontinue its settlement expansion, put an end to violence, threats and provocations against Muslims, and maintain and respect the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem," he added.

Pakistan's President Arif Alvi said the world must recognize the brutality inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the occupying apartheid state of Israel.

"We must recognize that Palestinian rights matter. Palestinian lives matter," Alvi tweeted.

- Australia and New Zealand

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that her government is deeply concerned over the escalating violence in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

"Respect for law and order is paramount, and we urge all parties to refrain from violent or provocative acts. We call for a halt to actions that increase tensions, including land appropriations, forced evictions, demolitions and settlement activity," she said.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed grave concern over the rising casualties.

“Senior officials met with the Israeli ambassador [in New Zealand]. Officials underlined the concerning loss of life and strongly urged Israel to de-escalate to prevent the prospect of a widening conflict. They also raised their concern at the continued violation of international law and forced evictions occurring in East Jerusalem," Mahuta said.

- Malaysia says Israel insulted humanity

Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting on Sunday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Israeli "occupation" forces are killing Palestinian civilians, children and women and destroying their homes.

"What has happened is beyond description , it is contemptuous not only to Muslims around the world, but this is also an insult to humanity. We must be very clear with ourselves – what has happened in Gaza are nothing but crimes against humanity, and the Israeli Zionist regime is to blame," he said.

"It is an insult when other countries come out and speak about the right of Israel to self defense, and not a single word about the Palestinian rights when they are the ones slaughtered, and they are the ones who have been occupied for over 50 years," he added.

- Thailand, Singapore call for de-escalation

Thailand and Singapore urged all parties to exercise restraint.

"Thailand is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine and strongly urges all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate the situation and cause further casualties of innocent civilians and damages to heritage sites," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said: "We call upon all parties to cease attacks against civilian targets and prevent further loss of lives or injuries. We strongly urge all sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and work towards a durable ceasefire."

Also, South Korea expressed concern over civilians deaths in the ongoing Israel-Palestine tensions and said violence cannot be justified under any circumstances.

"We express grave concern over massive civilian casualties, including children, caused by indiscriminate rocket attacks in the Gaza Strip and counterattacks against them," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

- India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh

TS Tirumurti, Indian's permanent representative to the UN, on Sunday asked the two sides to immediately resume direct dialogue on the basis of the two-state solution.

“The events of the last several days has resulted in a sharp deterioration of the security situation," he said, urging both sides to show “extreme restraint."

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar condemned the Israeli attacks on the worshipers of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Speaking at the OIC meeting, Atmar described the forced migration of Palestinians as a clear violation of international resolutions.

"Afghanistan remains committed and supports the legitimate right of Palestinians to have an independent Palestinian state within the defined borders in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution of 1967," he said.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen speaking to Anadolu Agency described Israeli aggressions against occupied Palestine as “unacceptable.”

“Bangladesh considers that there is no pretext that can justify killings of innocent civilians; no argument can justify the disruption of prayer by the worshippers and breach of international humanitarian laws and human rights standard,” he said.

*Shuriah Niazi from New Delhi, Md. Kamruzzaman from Dhaka and Shadi Khan saif from Kabul contributed to this story.