Dhaka denounces Israeli settlement in West Bank

Bangladesh has called on Israel to immediately halt settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory and reaffirmed its support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, Bangladesh said planned settlement expansion further undermines the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory and prospects for a viable two-state solution.

“Bangladesh called upon Israel to immediately halt all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory and reiterated its unwavering support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the statement said.

Bangladesh also urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent actions that undermine Palestinian statehood and advance a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on international law and the two-state solution.

The statement said Bangladesh stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and remains committed to supporting their legitimate aspirations for freedom, dignity, justice and statehood.

Meanwhile, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in Iran during the Middle East war and reiterated Bangladesh’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iranian territory in violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law.

During a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi at Bangabhaban on Thursday, the president expressed concern over the ongoing conflict, saying it has caused a severe energy crisis in import-dependent countries like Bangladesh.

He reiterated Bangladesh’s policy of resolving disputes through dialogue, mutual understanding and diplomatic efforts, and stressed the importance of unity among the Muslim Ummah for global peace and stability.

The president said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its longstanding friendly and fraternal relations with Iran, based on deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties.

He said the creative works and literature of renowned Persian poets and thinkers, including Ferdowsi, Sheikh Saadi, Hafez and Jalaluddin Rumi, have deeply influenced the thoughts and culture of people in the region.

The president also mentioned the affection for the people of Iran reflected in the poems and songs of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The Iranian ambassador handed over a congratulatory letter from the Iranian president to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as president of Bangladesh.

He praised Bangladesh’s constructive role in easing tensions in the Middle East and expressed gratitude for the participation of the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament in the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The ambassador expressed hope that Bangladesh and Iran would work together to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

The president assured the ambassador of full cooperation in discharging his responsibilities and expressed hope that his tenure would contribute significantly to strengthening Bangladesh-Iran relations.

Secretaries of the President's Office, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Embassy were present at the meeting.