One of the most constant elements in Bangladesh foreign policy has remained support for the Palestinian cause. For years, Bangladesh has supported the Palestinian people based on principles of justice, international law and support for a country wanting liberation from occupation since its independence in 1971. This unconditional support has been shown through legal and diplomatic stage at international platforms by Bangladesh for a peaceful solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict, which is justifiable in nature over the years.
Being a country that respects international law, Bangladesh advocacy for Palestine is rooted in it's on the principles of self-determination and sovereignty. For decades, Bangladesh has been in favour of an independent State of Palestine on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This also in line with different United Nations (UN) resolutions demanding two state solution as the only path for a durable peace in the region according to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was one of the first countries to officially acknowledge State of Palestine in 1988 and has reiterated its support for Palestinian independence. In keeping this relationship, Bangladesh has also not forged diplomatic ties with Israel, a somewhat rare feature of countries devoted to the Palestinian cause along with Bangladesh. All Bangladeshi governments who have been in power since then have insisted that Israel cannot be normalized until the Palestinian problem is solved fairly and comprehensively, based on international law and human rights.
Bangladesh has consistently voiced support for Palestine in various international forums - UN, OIC and NAM. Palestinian diplomats have repeatedly highlighted human rights violations in the occupied territories and urged action from around the world to hold Israel accountable over its abuses of Palestinians. Permanent representatives of Bangladesh at the UN have often raised the voice for Palestinian civilians and called for compliance with international humanitarian law.
Bangladesh has been serially condemning the act of occupation in lands like illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem at UA Assembly. This would be a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which forbids an occupying power from transferring its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Bangladesh, through its continued support of all UN resolutions condemning the settlements in question, has maintained that these activities are detrimental to both the peace process and a viable two-state solution.
Bangladesh has supported Palestine to earn greater acceptance around the world including acquiring a non-member observer state status at the UN. It was aimed at reinforcing Palestine's ability to diplomatically move within the international system, with any sort of intentions to legally take war crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Bangladesh is very legalistic and settled in international human rights law on the Palestinian issue. Its criticisms have been there to blame for possible war crimes and conduct against human right crimes on Palestinian's civilians. Bangladesh has now demonstrated its commitment to accountability and justice by supporting investigations into these actions.
After the attacks on Palestinian men, women and even children, Bangladesh has recently urged for frankly humanitarian protection which is unlike its past Stunt. The various statements by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly condemning them as transgressions against international human rights and humanitarian law. In the Palestinian territories, Bangladesh last month supported UN-led probes into alleged war crimes and called for a full investigation of these matters through the International Criminal Court.
Bangladesh believes the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and construction of settlements there are infringement on international law. Settlement expansion is illegal, and also a major hindrance to peace talks as Palestinians are pushed out of their land and communities begin to split apart.
This is evidenced by Bangladesh's insistence that Israel comply with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which reaffirm the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war. The resolutions highlight, among other things, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories. In fact, Bangladesh is in agreement with these resolutions as it outlines a peaceful and diplomatic method of resolving conflict.
Bangladesh also extended humanitarian aid to help Palestinian people in addition to its diplomatic and legal efforts. Besides the Bangladesh government, several Bangladeshi NGOs are providing cash as well as shades and medical supplies and other assistance for the affected Palestinians due to a heinous routine being executed by Israel. And this humanitarian outreach reflects the government stance and not a mere diplomatic principle but interwoven value of Bangladesh society.
The geopolitical dynamics are changing but Bangladesh is not going to change its approach towards the Palestinian question. Bangladesh, despite pressures from global axes, has maintained its foreign policy of standing with self-determination for Palestine. It has strengthened its position as a stable country that adheres to the principles of justice, human rights and international law.
Bangladesh's empathy for the Palestinian cause is anchored in shared histories of resistance and resilience, as a country formed from a struggle for independence and sovereignty. Bangladesh legal and diplomatic position stands for justice, international law and human rights. Via its consistent platform of international forums, denouncement of human rights violations and humanitarian assistance, Bangladesh also remains beside the Palestinian people. Such display of solidarity is not just a symbolic gesture but is also a reaffirmation of Bangladesh's principles and values on the global stage, sending out a message that it wishes to see this end to one of the longest standing conflicts in the world peacefully, fairly and lawfully.
The writer is a Law student at London College of Legal Studies (South)
