Story by Memory Chamisa
AS the conflict between Israel and Gaza entered day 27 this Thursday, Christian and Muslim leaders in Zimbabwe have called for collective efforts to stop the ongoing massacres in Palestine.
Christian and Muslim leaders convened a forum in Harare this Thursday to speak out about the Israeli – Palestine war, which has seen more than 7 000 people killed in Gaza, 70 percent of them children.
African Christian Council International President, Archbishop Johannes Ndanga and Supreme Muslim Council of Zimbabwe Secretary General Sheikh Henry Balakazi noted the need to stand with the people of Palestine and their right to resist apartheid and oppression.
“What is happening in Palestine and Gaza is disheartening. These are brothers fighting each other at the expense of human life which is precious. Scenes that are unfolding where women and children are suffering the most and global leaders need to stop the genocide forthwith,” said Archbishop Ndanga.
“We are standing in solidarity with Palestine and calling for an end to the genocide that is happening in Gaza. It is alarming how some global powers are folding their hands to human life that is being lost and today’s forum is to show our brothers and sisters in Palestine that we are with them in prayer,” said Henry Balakazi.
Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of Iran, Mr Hamid Bakhtiyar and Palestine Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe, counsellor Salim Siam called the forces to order and slammed the United States of America for siding with acts of brutality.
Mr Bakhtiyar said, “Israel has spent the past 75 years committing apartheid and genocide against the Palestinian people. These are crimes against humanity. The inaction by the United Nations will see the demise of the security.”
“We call upon the international community and all progressive people around the globe to take action to protect life and stop Israel’s unfolding genocide against the 2,3 million Palestinians in the Gaza open-air prison. We call upon people of the world to urgently act, despite the terrible repression, to pressure their governments to end this genocidal complicity Council,” said counsellor Siam.
The growing death toll and dire humanitarian situation are drawing increased criticism from world leaders, activists and international bodies.
