Hafiz Naeem backs Gaza flotilla, slams US ‘deception’
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed solidarity with aid ships en route to Gaza and called for stronger global support for the Palestinian cause on Friday.
“Jamaat-e-Islami supports the Flotilla, and aid workers are sending a powerful message to the entire world,” said Rehman, addressing a press conference. “We need to further strengthen the global wave of solidarity for Palestine.”
An international convoy of nearly 20 ships has gathered in Tunisia with humanitarian workers, politicians, activists and public figures from 44 countries. On aboard the Sumud Nusantara are delegations from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, Maldives, Malaysia and Indonesia. JI former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is leading the delegation from Pakistan.
Global figures such as Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela are also on the mission, which aims to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.
Sixteen countries — including Pakistan, Turkey, South Africa, and Brazil — have urged Israel to ensure the safety of flotilla participants, warning that any unlawful act would invite international accountability.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s broader campaign of solidarity with Gaza has been reinforced by its chief, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, who has pledged to intensify efforts through protests, international outreach, and diplomatic appeals.
Earlier, Rehman recalled that JI had suspended regular political activity to focus on Gaza, announcing marches towards the US embassy and outreach efforts to Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He also said the party would write to the UN Secretary-General on Gaza.
“In two years, Israel has crossed all limits,” said Rehman, calling out Israel for “committing genocide against Palestinians”. He added that Israel has demolished “80,000 homes” in the West Bank, imprisoned thousands, and continues bombing Gaza.
Rehman also strongly condemned the attack on the negotiation team in Qatar, calling it “the biggest fascism” and claiming it occurred “on [US President Donald] Trump’s orders”.
He further accused the United States of backing Israel, saying, “America is continuously deceiving,” while Israeli bombing on Palestine continues.
Rehman said, “it is good to engage with any country”. But, he added, the US is guilty of deception and stressed that Israel’s continued assaults on Palestinians benefit from US backing. Staff Report
