BD businesses condemn massacre of Palestinians

FE REPORT | Published: November 23, 2023 00:16:29

Bangladesh businesses have vehemently condemned the barbaric massacre of the Palestinian civilians, women and children by the Israelis. More than 14,200 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. Of them, more than 9,700 were minor children and newborn babies. This is a systematic annihilation of a nation, never found in the history of mankind, according to a joint statement issued by heads of six leading chamber bodies of Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The Al-Shifa Hospital has become a graveyard of Palestinians rather than a hospital. Almost 1.6 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 07.
The statement said Israel was comprehensively targeting civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, mosques, schools and hospitals, sparing nothing in its brutal attacks on the Gaza Strip as part of a genocidal war while demonstrating a total disregard for the international calls for a ceasefire. In the name of fighting against the terrorists in Gaza, newborn babies, children, women and civilians were being killed, under the protection and support of the super powers.
"The targeting of civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it; under Geneva Convention," the statement mentioned.
"We want to remind that humanitarian and medical personnel and facilities are protected under international law. States have an obligation to ensure their safety and protection during times of war. As the UN Secretary General has repeatedly reiterated, one must bear in mind that even wars have rules.
"We condemn the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and killing of children and innocent civilians, which is prohibited under international humanitarian and criminal law. The willful and systematic destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, known as 'domicide', and cutting off drinking water, medicine and essential food supplies are clearly prohibited under international criminal law. Therefore, international community must focus on redressing humanitarian sufferings and protecting innocent people affected by the conflict," the statement added.
"We strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts to provide access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. We also support the U.N. Security Council calling for 'urgent and extended humanitarian pauses' in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israel's aerial and ground attacks. We express grave concern about the safety of journalists and aid-agency workers and protecting hospitals and schools that are providing refuge and life-saving medical services to the people of Gaza," the statement further said.
"Bangladesh, Bolivia, South Africa, Comoros and Djibouti have jointly requested the International Criminal Court to investigate the situation in the Palestinian territory. We endorse the joint request of the above-mentioned five countries and hope that other nations will also join," it said.
"The business community of Bangladesh strongly urge upon the UN and world leaders to call for settlement of the decade-old dispute to ensure peace in the Middle East and thus avoid escalation and protect the millions of displaced people. Bangladesh businesses support and stand by the Palestinians' right to self-determination, sovereignty and independence," the statement mentioned.
Signatories to the statement were Mahbubur Rahman, President of the ICC Bangladesh; Mahbubul Alam, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Md Sameer Sattar, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Md Saiful Islam, President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), Omar Hazzaz, President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Naser Ezaz Bijoy, President of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).