ANKARA: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi today (Wednesday) departed for New York where he will highlight Israel’s aggression against Palestinians at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The foreign minister is accompanied by his Palestinian, Sudanese, and Turkish counterparts. They will attend UNGA’s emergency session in connection with the Palestine issue tomorrow (May 20) and draw the world’s attention towards Israeli atrocities.
Proud to join @MevlutCavusoglu as we stand united, shoulder to shoulder, with our brother FM Dr Riyad Al Maliki from Palestine. Together, we will stand for the people of #Palestine at #UNGA75#TogetherForPalestine pic.twitter.com/yXc7a2H7Oo
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 19, 2021
According to a statement, FM Qureshi will urge the international community to play its due role in stopping Israeli atrocities against innocent Palestinians and will also hold important meetings with the UNGA president and other personalities.
Prior to his departure, FM Qureshi held a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki and exchanged views over the evolving situation in Palestine. He conveyed the resolve of Pakistani leadership, particularly that of Prime Minister Imran Khan, to continue supporting Palestinians’ struggle.
A day earlier, FM Qureshi held a meeting with President Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the Palestine crisis in the Middle East. FM Qureshi discussed issues related to bilateral relations and the situation in Palestine.
The foreign minister praised Erdogan’s clear and unequivocal position on Kashmir and Palestine and thanked him for Turkey’s unwavering support on the Kashmir issue.
Recent tensions with the Palestinians have been exacerbated by the harsh attitude of the Israeli police during the month of Ramadan. Israeli police also used tear gas and stun grenades inside Al-Aqsa Mosque and attack worshippers.
In an unusual move, Hamas issued an ultimatum to Israel to immediately withdraw its security forces from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. An Israeli court is set to rule on evicting in Sheikh Jarrah which ignited the most recent conflict.
Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday. The military said it widened its strikes on targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.
