Muslim leaders in Kenya have called on the government to cut ties with Israel and recall the Kenyan ambassador to Israel. They mentioned that they are planning a series of activities to show their support for the besieged Palestinians in Gaza.
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The group further cited crimes against humanity in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas group. They asked the country to recall the ambassador from Israel to show its displeasure over the killings taking place in Gaza.
“We call on the government to cut off relations with Israel with immediate effect. The position taken by the African Union is in support of a free Palestine. Kenya must abide by this position by virtue of being a member of the AU,” Sheikh Abdi said at a press conference outside Jamia Mosque on Sunday.
This message was brought after Kenya’s President, William Ruto, pledged his government’s full support for Israel in the ongoing conflict. This was after the African Union released a statement mentioning that it was against the Palestinians being deprived of fundamental rights by Israel.
Read Also: Ruto Stands with Israel in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman, Abdullahi Abdi, urged Kenyans to stand together with Palestinians. According to him, the Palestinians have one the brunt of Israel’s aggression for the past 16 years. The leaders called on the International community to come to the aid of Palestinians who are trapped in Gaza and deprived of basic services such as food, water, and electricity.
“The Kenyan government should break relations with Israel and recall back our Ambassador,” Abdi said during a press briefing at Jamia Mosque. “We call upon the National assembly to petition Israeli govt for the attacks.”
They further described the current raid on Gaza by Israel in response to the Hamas attack as “genocide against Palestinians”.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
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The Hamas militant group launched an attack on the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip, killing 1,300 people. In response to the attack, Israel started bombing Gaza and killing thousands of Palestinians. In addition to that, they closed an exit from Gaza with the intention of depriving Palestinians in Gaza of food, water and fuel from outside.
“Hospitals, Doctors, Nurses and other medical personnel, as well as marked ambulances, schools, UN shelters, and refugee camps, have been deliberately targeted and completely destroyed. Vital resources like water, food, fuel for generators have run out. In addition, journalists, humanitarian workers, including staff of the United Nations and ICRC have been deliberately targeted.,” the statement read.
Furthermore, Sheikh Ahmed mentioned that Dr Ruto’s siding with Israel did not reflect his principle to fight for the oppressed. The leaders mentioned that the president should not use the war to fight for his interests.
“What the President did shows that we are no longer taking the issues of human rights seriously and that it is a wrong step,” they added.
Their statement came after the Christians under the aegis of the Kenya Coalition of Church Alliances and Ministries last Wednesday, backed Israel. They, however, called for a ceasefire and an amicable resolution of the dispute between the two nations.
They also demand that Israel stop all attacks and open a humanitarian corridor through the Gaza Strip.
“We call for a legitimate, genuine and durable solution to the Palestinian problem,” the statement adds.
Read Also: Israel Fiercly Attacks Gaza Despite Deadly Warning from Hamas
