Kuala lumpur: International solidarity with the Palestinian people must move beyond demonstrations and statements and be translated into tangible action to pressure Israel to halt its settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory, said Palestinian Affairs Analyst Osama Nazzal.
According to Nam News Network, Nazzal spoke during a live video interview from Palestine on Bernama TV's Bernama World, emphasizing that the international community must act on its stated position against Israeli settlements before the situation becomes more catastrophic. He discussed the topic "Palestine Beyond The Headlines: International Solidarity With The Palestinian People."
Nazzal urged the international community to translate its position into action on the ground, highlighting that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are viewed as illegal and illegitimate. He called for international governments and parliaments to exert pressure through the United Nations and other mechanisms to compel Israel to halt its colonial project in the occupied territory.
He warned that without tangible measures from the international community, the situation would become more catastrophic. Nazzal emphasized the need for the international community to respond to demands for ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state on land occupied in 1967, stating that international positions should not remain mere declarations.
Nazzal expressed concern over the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which results in the fragmentation of the territory into smaller enclaves, with Palestinian communities increasingly surrounded by settlements and Israeli military forces. He described this process as cantonising, whereby the territory is divided into small enclaves, trapping Palestinian citizens in areas encircled by Israeli settlements and military presence.
He noted that the settlement expansion had reached a critical point, with Israel seeking to increase the number of settlers in the occupied West Bank to over one million from the current approximate number of 800,000. Nazzal's assessment pointed out this alarming trend.
Nazzal highlighted the growth of the international solidarity movement, which has strengthened pressure on governments and international institutions. The movement now involves universities, trade unions, NGOs, academics, and wider civil society, showcasing its potential to influence political developments.
He linked international public mobilization to developments at international legal institutions, noting that millions have urged their governments and parliaments to take positions on Palestinian rights and apply pressure on Israel. Nazzal stressed the importance of building on these developments, as Palestinian rights and the issue of ending the occupation require continued international pressure and concrete measures.
Discussing Malaysia's role, Nazzal described Malaysia and Muslim countries as the strategic depth for the Palestinian people, highlighting their financial and diplomatic support as crucial for Palestinian resilience. He praised successive Malaysian governments for maintaining strong positions in support of Palestinian rights and against the Israeli occupation.