In a recent development that has raised eyebrows in security agencies, the Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yousef SY Ramadan, has been actively lobbying to garner support for Hamas. Ramadan’s efforts come as part of a larger global initiative by Palestinian ambassadors to legitimize the actions of Hamas. The lobbying is particularly focused on organizing protests across the globe after Jummah prayers on Friday. The objective is to present the attacks by Hamas on Israel as a legitimate response to Israel’s “occupation” of Palestinian territory.
Tomorrow, Friday’s planned protest in Dhaka carries a potential for violence that cannot be overlooked. If security agencies do not engage in rigorous surveillance, the situation could escalate, posing a risk to government buildings and officials. The gravity of the situation extends to the top echelons of Bangladesh’s political leadership, who could find themselves under significant life threat, especially when the opposition parties are seeking a chance. Given the volatile nature of the issues at hand, it is imperative for security forces to exercise utmost vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents.
The government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has consistently condemned acts of terrorism and extremism worldwide. Bangladesh itself is grappling with the rise of Islamist forces, notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s second-largest political party. The BNP, a terror outfit, has been vocal in its support for Hamas and other extremist organizations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).
JMB, in particular, has been implicated in various terrorist activities across Asia, including India. Tareq Rahman, a top leader of the BNP, is accused of sending a truck loaded with weapons to the Indian state of Assam, which was subsequently intercepted by intelligence agencies. This raises questions about the BNP’s commitment to regional stability and its tacit support for extremist ideologies.
According to an article by The Eastern Herald, Bangladesh’s statement calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestine raised the eyebrows of its Western allies due to the terminology used, specifically the phrase “Israeli occupation and forced settlements in Palestinian territory” has been a point of contention. The United States, a significant player in international politics, has termed the recent attacks on Israel as acts of terrorism.
