As it enters its seventh week, in retaliation for Hamas’ October 7 attacks, the Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip shows no signs of slowing down. With the Palestinian death toll now exceeding 11,000, some Arab Gulf states have tried to use their regional and international leverage to bring an end to the hostilities. Besides, in the wake of Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, a host of countries have moved to recall their ambassadors or sever diplomatic relations in condemnation of the relentless bombardment of the besieged enclave. Bolivia was the first country to cut ties with the Israeli regime in late October, followed by Belize last week. Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, Chad, and South Africa have all pulled their ambassadors from Israel in the face of its refusal to agree to even a pause in the conflict, as public anger amounts across the world over the soaring death toll and the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. South Africa, in particular, has been acutely critical of Israel’s war. Last Wednesday, the country’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor called for an end to “this real crime against humanity”, saying there were “very, very clear similarities” between Israel’s occupation and the former system of apartheid in South Africa. Pandor also reiterated calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold Israel accountable for violations of international criminal law resulting from its ground offensive and airstrikes in Gaza. South Africa’s vocal opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza reflects its long history of support for Palestinians and the ANC’s deep links with anti-discrimination activism, with many drawing parallels between how apartheid ended and the struggle against Israel’s military occupation. Meanwhile, widespread protest marches have been held around the world calling for a ceasefire since the war in Gaza began. The Islamic countries have also staged demonstrations almost weekly against the brutal bombardments of the Israeli regime and its army against the Palestinians. Cutting diplomatic ties may get the US leadership’s attention, though whether it will persuade the United States and other allies of Israel in the West to meaningfully pressure Tel Aviv is uncertain but important. The world countries particularly the Islamic world should increase their diplomatic activities and use their leverage to bring an end to the brutal attacks of the Israeli regime on Gaza. As part of increasing diplomatic pressure on Israeli regime to end its attacks on Gaza, an Arab-Islamic summit hosted last week by Saudi Arabia called for an end to the war in Gaza and rejected justifying Israel’s actions against Palestinians as self-defense. The summit last Saturday condemned “Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, war crimes and barbaric and inhumane massacres by the occupation government”. It also called for an end to the siege on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid into the enclave. It is time that not only the world but also the Islamic countries should increase their pressure on the western countries to exert pressure on the Israeli regime to end its attacks on Gaza. Although the Islamic countries can do much, but they have not done much against Israel and its attacks on Gaza so far. S. Raqib
World should go for international leverage to bring end to Israeli regime’s hostilities
