Afghanistan–Palestine relations

Afghan–Palestinian relations
Map indicating locations of Afghanistan and Palestine

Afghanistan
Palestine

Afghanistan–Palestine relations refer to diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and the State of Palestine.

History

Afghanistan recognized the Palestinian National Council's declaration of independence in October 1948, making it the first non-Arab country to do so.[1] Afghanistan officially recognized Palestinian statehood on 16 November 1988.[2]

In 2019, Afghanistan donated US$ one million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).[3][4] This was preceded by the United States stopping aid to UNRWA.[5]

Amidst the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expressed its condemnation of Israeli attacks against Palestinians.[6]

In August 2021, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar of the Taliban met with Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas in Doha, Qatar.[7] In October 2022, Taliban official Zabihullah Mujahid met with Ismail Haniyeh in Turkey.[8] Sirajuddin Haqqani, Interior Minister of Afghanistan, met with religious scholars from Palestine in January 2023.[9]

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October, the Taliban has increasingly expressed its opposition to Israel.[10] The group has urged both the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Muslim countries to take a firm stance in support of Palestine. On April 10, 2024, Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi conveyed his condolences to then-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a conversation regarding the killing of children and other family members of Haniyeh by the IDF.[11] Several rallies have also been held in Kabul in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.[12][13]

The Taliban has condemned various actions it views as violations of international law, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank,[14] the attack on Rafah,[15] and the bombing of Al-Mamdani Hospital in Gaza.[16] The group has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, describing the invasion of Gaza as genocide and characterizing Israeli policies as constituting apartheid.[17][18]

The Taliban have also denounced Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.[19]

On October 17, 2024, following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the official newspaper of the Taliban issued a statement offering their condolences.[20] The following day, Prime Minister Muhammad Hasan Akhund also released a message of condolence on the killing of Yahya Sinwar.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Palestinian National Revival: In the Shadow of the Leadership Crisis, 1937–1967. Indiana University Press. 12 September 2018. ISBN 978-0-253-03661-2.
  2. ^ "Request for the admission of the State of Palestine to UNESCO as a Member State". unesdoc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. ^ "Afghan envoy calls for support to Palestinian cause". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  4. ^ "Afghan Government Donates $1 Million To UN Palestinian Aid Agency". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  5. ^ "US ends aid to Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa". 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  6. ^ "Israeli attacks on Palestinians 'unacceptable': Afghanistan". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  7. ^ "After Afghanistan: Taliban Power, Palestinian Terrorism and Islamist Sacrifice". www.jurist.org. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  8. ^ "Taliban uses Hamas meeting to send a message to the Muslim world". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  9. ^ "Taliban Interior Minister Meets Egyptian, Sudanese & Palestinian Clerics". Afghanistan International. 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  10. ^ "د افغانستان اسلامي امارت د بهرنیو چارو وزارت د غزې تړانګه کې وروستۍ پېښې له نژدې څاري او د دغسې پېښو رامنځ ته کېدو سبب د صهیونستي اسرائیلیانو له خوا د فلسطیني مظلوم ولس د حقوقو تر پښو لاندې کول او د مسلمانانو د مقدسو اماکنو په مکرر ډول اهانت او بې احترامي ګڼل کیږي". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - MoFA. 2023-07-08.
  11. ^ "IEA-Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi held a telephonic conversation with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political wing of the HAMAS movement, in order to offer him condolences over the martyrdom of his children and family members". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - MoFA. March 2024.
  12. ^ Samadi, Naweed (2023-08-13). "Kabul Residents Take to Streets to Show Support for People of Palestine". ToloNews.
  13. ^ Samadi, Naweed (2023-12-15). "Major Rally Held in Kabul in Support for Palestine". ToloNews.
  14. ^ "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the decision to build 3,500 new bases in the West Bank of Palestine by the Zionist invaders, and this heinous action is another blatant violation in the series of occupation of Palestinian lands, we strongly call for its prevention". February 2024.
  15. ^ "IEA-MoFA statement regarding the brutal attacks of the Zionist invaders on the Rafah city of Gaza". www.x.com. 2024-02-12.
  16. ^ Balkhi, Abdul Qahar (2023-08-18). "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns in the strongest terms the bombardment of the Al-Mamadani Hospital in Gaza by the Zionist forces and deems this act barbaric and a crime against humanity". www.x.com.
  17. ^ Balkhi, Abdul Qahar (2023-12-24). "This great contradiction has become crystal clear following the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza and allowing the Zionist regime a free hand, and thus, a change in the current world order is imperative". www.x.com.
  18. ^ Balkhi, Abdul Qahar (2023-08-08). "We are deeply concerned about the recent decision of the Zionist regime to deprive the people in the besieged Gaza Strip of essential resources such as electricity, food & water supply. This action is unacceptable & contravention of all international laws and conventions". x.com.
  19. ^ "IEA vehemently condemns recent attacks of the Zionist regime on Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen". Al-Emarah. 2024-10-01.
  20. ^ "In the name of Allah; Alemarahenglish team mourn the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, a stalwart defender of Palestine. His legacy of resistance against invasion will inspire generations. Our heartfelt condolences to his family & palestinains struglling for freedom". www.x.com. 2024-10-18.
  21. ^ "Condolence Message of the Prime Minister of the IEA on the Martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, Leader of the Hamas Movement". Al-Emarah. 2024-10-22.


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