By In a recent interview, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, the Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and the Pakistani Diaspora in the Middle East and Islamic Countries, underscored Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in addressing the long-standing Palestinian issue.
Against a backdrop of regional turbulence and uncertainty, this development takes on significant importance.
Ashrafi, who also heads the Pakistan Ulema Council, expressed deep concern for the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Each passing day sees their plight worsen, with a continuous toll of lives lost since October 7.
Tensions have risen further due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s consideration of a potential ground offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in journalists becoming casualties in targeted attacks.
A heartbreaking incident unfolded when the Gaza bureau chief of Al Jazeera Arabic lost his entire family in an Israeli airstrike on their home.
The absence of foreign journalists in Gaza has brought into sharp focus the incredible bravery of Palestinian journalists who risk their lives to report on the situation in a region under Israeli siege.
Ashrafi also pointed out that the once-optimistic Arab leadership, which held hopes for improved Israeli-Palestinian relations and the establishment of a self-governing Palestinian state, has been confronted by Israel’s disproportionate response to recent events.
In response, Saudi Arabia took a firm stance by informing Washington of its decision to freeze normalization talks. This decision underscores that the Palestinian issue cannot be disregarded in the pursuit of normalizing relations with Israel.
Moreover, there is a growing global condemnation of Israel’s use of force against civilians. Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah criticized the West’s double standards in the conflict during an interview.
This mounting international outcry places substantial pressure on all involved parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. The world watches closely as Saudi Arabia emerges as a key player in seeking stability and de-escalation in this tumultuous region.
