Govt bows to TLP demands on Palestine

The government has announced a nationwide boycott of Israeli goods, after accepting the demands of a religiopolitical party.

The decision was announced on Friday during a press conference in Islamabad, where Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Rana Sanaullah were joined by leaders of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

TLP had organised a sit-in at Faizabad interchange in Islamabad in protest against Israeli genocide in Gaza. The party, led by Saad Rizvi, had put forward three demands to end the protest.

They had asked the government to officially boycott Israeli products and send food and medical aid to Palestinians suffering from Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza. The party also demanded of the government to declare Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “terrorist”.

At the press conference Mr Sanaullah said that an agreement to end the protest had been reached between the government and the protesting TLP members and supporters.

Mr Sanaullah said the government is committed to resolving the Palestinian issue. "We have sent aid to Gaza previously and now we will send another shipment of 1,000 tons of aid to Gaza, including fruits and other daily-use items.”

According to a government official, the aid consignment would be sent to the war-torn region before Wednesday, July 31.

Mr Sanaullah condemned Israel’s actions, labelling the country “a terrorist state” and calling for Netanyahu to be brought to justice. 

"Netanyahu has been convicted of war crimes. He has killed innocent civilians and children [in Palestine]," the adviser said.

"Netanyahu is a terrorist. We demand United Nations to bring him to justice," he added.

The PM's political adviser also announced the launch a nationwide boycott of Israeli products. He declared the Pakistani government stands in support of the Palestinian people and will take major steps to demonstrate this support.

The boycott of Israeli products is a major move by the coalition government, which aims at exerting economic pressure on Israel while showing solidarity with Palestinians and the Palestinian cause.