IKRAM vehemently condemns the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh by an Israeli hit squad in Tehran. This callous and brazen act of killing the elected leader of the Palestinian nation is yet another transgression committed by a desperate and thuggish Israeli government which has lost all semblance of humanity and respect for international law.
His assassination in Tehran followed the killing of a Hezbollah leader 12 hours earlier in Beirut. These two incidents point towardPrime Minister Netanyahu deliberately provoking Iran and Hezbollah to lure them into Israel’s assault on Gaza, escalating the conflict into regional war.
By so doing, he may then hope to draw the United States directly into the battlefield for Israel’s protection, subsequently maintaining his grip on power and restoring his credibility as a wartime leader.Having seen his (and Israel’s) international reputation irreparably tarnished whereby arrest warrants for his crimes against humanityhave been requested, this war criminal is now throwing the last dice in a desperate bid to regain some face.
On a positive note, the reconciliation efforts in Beijing whereby a signing ceremony on July 23 witnessed the commitment of Hamas, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and 12 other groups towardsthe formation of a unity government was a watershed moment. For the first time in more than two decades, Palestinians have a genuine opportunity to be united under a single government, bolstering their chances for peace and a resolution towards creation of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders with the support of 145 countries of the United Nations.
However, by ordering the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, who was pivotal in efforts to negotiate a permanent ceasefire for Gaza and also for the release of Israeli prisoners of war, Netanyahu has clearly indicated his disdain for the peace process and indifference towards the release of his own people now held in Gaza.
Ismail Haniyeh, true to his words, has joined the exalted ranks of martyrs who are described in the Quran in the following verse as such:
“Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord” – 3:169
IKRAM expresses its sincere condolences to Ismail Haniyeh’s family, Hamas and the Palestinians over their loss. We pray that Allah replaces him with someone of equal stature and ability.
We are confident that the struggle for a free and independent Palestine lives on regardless of the cost exacted by the desperate and morally bankrupt Zionist enemies of the Palestinian cause.
We again strongly condemn Israel’s immoral acts, cruelty and injustice perpetrated against the Palestinians for the last 76 years. We call upon all fair–minded people to also denounce this latest act of terror by the Israeli regime.
Despite these brazen acts meant to torpedo the peace process and ignite a full-blown Middle Eastern conflagration, we urge all parties to continue to abide by international law and avoid any escalation and provocation. We also emphasise the importance of persisting inthe battle for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the establishment of a Palestinian state in line with international legal conventions. Actions, including sanctions, must be considered against Israel over this latest atrocity and blatant disregard for international law.
Hj. Badlishah Sham Baharin
President
Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia
