Islamabad, 13 Oct 2023: In light of recent turbulent events in the Middle East, the Centre for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Middle East Monitor (MEMO), conducted a webinar titled “Palestine – Latest Developments and Impact on the Region.” The event, which sought to shed light on the developing scenarios in the area, encompassed several speakers who brought forth varying perspectives regarding the Israel-Palestine dispute and its broader implications, according to a press release issued by ISSI.
DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood provided an exhaustive overview, emphasizing the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and expressing grave concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He highlighted the urgent need for global intervention to halt further escalation and loss of life, suggesting immediate de-escalation, ensuring humanitarian access, implementing a ceasefire, and reviving the peace process as necessary steps forward.
Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, elaborated on the brutality witnessed in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that a resolution respecting the rights and dignity of all involved is imperative to peace. Dr. Azzam Tamimi shared a personal and poignant viewpoint, providing insights into the profound and lasting impacts of the conflict on individual lives and calling for a reevaluation of global perception toward the enduring conflict.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood reflected on the longstanding challenges faced by the region since 1948, emphasizing the persistent resistance of the Palestinian people and the importance of aligning any resolution with United Nations parameters. Dr. Daud Abdullah pointed out the stark double standards observed in the response from the Western world compared to the Ukrainian conflict and warned of the potential slow genocide against the Palestinians residing in Gaza.
Ground reports from Dr. Motasem Dallou in Gaza portrayed a bleak scenario where essential supplies are scant and medical facilities struggle under overwhelming pressure. Dr. Giorgio Cafiero presented a global perspective, outlining the precarious balance Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states maintain, while Mr. Oves Anwar scrutinized the situation through the lens of international law, highlighting the Palestinians’ right to resist and the profound challenges encountered by international law in the present context.
The webinar culminated in an interactive session, unraveling further multifaceted aspects of the evolving situation and its regional and global ramifications, thus reflecting a spectrum of perspectives and concerns about the ongoing conflict and its potential trajectories.