Palestinian leader Abbas seeks Bangladesh help

by Diplomatic Correspondent
February 12, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/517/palestinian-leader-abbas-seeks-bangladesh-help

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday [February 11, 2010] in Dhaka and urged to continue Bangladesh's support to the Palestinian struggle for ending 'Israeli occupation' of Arab lands and establishing an independent state. Abbas arrived by a special plane, that landed on the VVIP tarmac of the airport at about 3:00pm, on his way to Dubai after visiting Japan and South Korea. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received him at the airport.

Sheikh Hasina's press secretary Abdul Kalam Azad told reporters that the Mahmoud Abbas had apprised the premier of the outcome of his visit to Japan and Korea.

Sheikh Hasina told Abbas that Bangladesh had always stood beside the Palestinian people and supported their legitimate cause.

'Bangladesh will continue to support the establishment of peace in Palestine as it believes in peace and harmony throughout the world,' she said.

They recalled the contribution of the late Palestine leader, Yasser Arafat, to the establishment of Palestine as a state in the Middle East and to peace.

This was the first ever trip of any Palestinian leader to Bangladesh since the death of Yasser Arafat. Arafat was a close friend of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who visited Bangladesh several times. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's government, which was the first government after the independence of Bangladesh, applied all forms of bans on Israel, including travel ban, telecommunication ban, postal ban, shipping ban, trade ban etc. Bangabandhu was a great friend of the people of Palestine, who extended all out support to their war against Israel. Since independence of Bangladesh, a large number of local Jihadists were sent to fight against Israel. Most of these Jihadists were from notorious militancy group named Harkatul Jihad Islami [Huji].

Bangladesh continues to accord unconditional support to Palestine in all international forums. Dhaka considers Israel as an 'enemy state' since 1971 and the tradition is continued by all subsequent governments in the country. Bangladeshi nationals are barred from travelling to Israel. According to Bangladeshi law, travel attempt to Israel is consider being offence under various sections of the Penal Code, including sedition, treason and blasphemy.

Weekly Blitz editor, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is facing sedition, treason and blasphemy charges since 2003 for advocating relations with Israel. The latest meeting between Bangladeshi Prime Minister and Mahmoud Abbas leaves a strong signal to Mr. Choudhury of continuation of the ongoing persecution on him, which began in 2003.

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