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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) has called on the United Nations to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the ongoing hostilities in Israel and Palestine.
Thousands of people have lost their lives, and many have been forced from their homes due to the conflict.
Dean, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto State, Prof Isa Maishanu, during a rally held in Lagos, Nigeria, over the weekend, on behalf of the CIO, conveyed the group’s concerns, stating that it was time for the international community, led by the United Nations, to step forward and provide aid and relief to the victims of the ongoing conflict.
Maishanu stressed that aid must be delivered to all affected areas, including Gaza, and the UN must work towards creating humanitarian corridors to ensure aid and relief packages can reach those who need them most.
The group also urged the international community to use its influence to sway Israel to cease its bombing campaigns of Gaza and other areas, saying the attacks are bringing not only terror to the Palestinians but are horrifying the world.
The CIO stressed the importance of incorporating the lifting of the siege of Gaza into any interim peace process, and the international community must take back control of the peace process from the monopoly of the United States.
The CIO condemned the show of support by the United States and the European Union for Israel, contending that they were complicit in the human tragedy playing out before a global audience.
The group also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed by Israel prior to this conflict and during it, considering its violation of international law, including the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in times of war.
The CIO affirmed that Hamas, which is leading the Palestinian authorities, is not a terrorist organisation, rather an elected representative of the people, angled in arms insurrection against an occupying force as allowed under international law.
The group encouraged global audiences to boycott all Israeli products and those of its affiliates to put pressure on the alleged apartheid state of Israel to comply with international laws and norms. The CIO also demanded that the Nigerian government put on hold all diplomatic relations with Israel, until the two-states resolution is achieved, and encouraged all African nations to take similar actions.
The CIO also emphasised that this would be a permanent front, focused on action until freedom and statehood are achieved for Palestine, calling for urgent action from the international community, including the UN and world leaders, to address the dire situation in Israel and Palestine. It added that the humanitarian crisis must end, and urgent assistance must be provided to those affected by the conflict.
