The Guardian (Nigeria)

Awareness group lauds govt’s stance on Palestine-israel issue

- By Shakirah Adunola

MUSLIM Awareness Internatio­nal (MAI) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria and South African government for their respect for human rights and particular­ly the rights of the Palestinia­n people for self-identity and determinat­ion.

During a press conference in Lagos to address the state of Israelite, the Director, (MAI), Abdulwahee­d Atoyebi, condemned the heinous war crime allegedly perpetrate­d by the Israeli army against the Palestine people.

He said: “These atrocities are committed with transparen­cy and clarity that send a clear message that we don’t give a damn what you think or will do”.

“The events of last week demonstrat­e the continuous abuse of the fundamenta­l human rights of the Palestinia­ns. After 70 years since the Palestinia­n people were evicted from their houses and turned into refugees, another 60 innocent young men and women were killed by Israeli snipers and over 2000 were injured,” he said.

Atoyebi commended the South African government for its bold step of recalling its ambassador from Israel, adding that this gesture shows the South African government’s deep connection­s to its history, especially of its fight against apartheid and human rights violations.

He also applauded Nigerian government for its continued commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights and particular­ly the rights of the Palestinia­n people for selfidenti­ty and determinat­ion. “Nigeria in its history has always supported the cause of the oppressed as we did in our support for the people of South Africa in their fight against apartheid” he said. He said it is dishearten­ing that the Nigeria media is silence on the deaths of journalist­s killed by Israeli soldiers.

“The journalist­s were shot while wearing the blue flak jacket marked with the word ‘PRESS’ when covering the protests at the Gaza border. Israeli snipers who are well trained and took good aim before they fired shot the journalist­s. Everyday, journalist­s put their lives on the line to perform their duties, and they must be protected.

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