Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik (Defense Analyst): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is in New York with his counterparts of some Muslim countries to discuss the Palestine issue. It is a milestone in our foreign policy and the credit goes to the present government. Pakistan is playing its cards well on Palestine issue. The credit goes to Turkey, Sudan, Tunisia and Palestine that a high level-delegation is in New York to express solidarity with the Palestinians. It is rare in history that major Islamic countries are on same page on an issue. Unfortunately, the United Nations has become no more than a debating club. Great Britain and the United States are in no mood to eliminate the miseries of the Palestinians. United States is even encouraging Israel to continue atrocities on innocent Palestinians. But we should continue our efforts in highlighting the Israeli and Indian atrocities in Palestine and Kashmir respectively. A couple of years back, Prime Minister Imran Khan made a passionate speech at UNGA forum on Kashmir issue and same is required again on Palestine issue as well. France at its end is preparing a resolution to be presented at the United Nations against Israeli aggression and human rights violations in Gaza and United States has already hinted to use its power to veto the resolution.

Fauzia Nasreen (Former Ambassador): Situation in Palestine has become critical and the escalation is continuously increasing. The houses are being bulldozed by Israeli authorities and innocent Palestinians are targeted without discrimination of age or gender. The world is witnessing grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Need of the hour is to force Israel to stop its aggression and attacks on Gaza with immediate effect in order to achieve a peaceful solution to the prevailing situation. Palestinians cannot be deprived of their fundamental rights. The world powers and the United Nations need to take concrete measures to normalize the situation. The commitment of Pakistan is deep rooted and Islamabad has always been vocal on human rights violations in Kashmir or Palestine. The efforts of Pakistan and Turkey in fighting for Palestinian cause at diplomatic level are commendable. It is unfortunate that five countries are being given the powers to decide the destiny of the world.

Najam-ul-Saqib (Former Ambassador): United States has always supported Israel in the past and is doing the same in recent crisis. United States also used its veto power in UNSC in support of Israel and against the Palestinians. US President Joe Biden also contacted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for at least four to five times. It is also a fact that some officials in White House have also expressed concerns over Israeli aggression in Palestine. Even many Jews have been protesting in the United States and across the globe against Israeli government and condemning the policies of Netanyahu in strong words. For the first time it is happening that voices are rising in support of Palestinians in America which is the biggest Israeli patron. The public opinion is rapidly changing in the world. Pakistan has taken a very strong stance on Palestinian issue like Kashmir and Foreign Minister is meeting with different world leaders to develop a consensus on resolution of this crisis.