Unraveling the Cycle of Violence; Israels Disproportionate Retaliation - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

- Ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis has resulted in a tragic loss of civilian lives on both sides.
- Casualty statistics: Hamas's attack has caused 1200 killed, 2700 injured, and 125 hostages, while Israel's attack has led to 1537 killed (including 1/3 children) and 5184 wounded. Israeli forces have dropped 6000 bombs on Gaza.
- According to the UN, Israeli bombing has destroyed 11 mosques, damaged 90 schools, and caused damage to 752 buildings, resulting in 280,000 Palestinians becoming homeless.
- The root cause of the conflict is the decades of occupation and a blockade of Gaza Strip, which Western leaders are ignoring.
- Palestinians face criticism regardless of their method of resistance: military resistance labels them as "terrorists," while verbal resistance makes them "provocateurs."
- Despite recognizing Israel 30 years ago, the Palestinian Authority has seen communities evicted in the West Bank, new Israeli settlements, and 224 isolated West Bank ghettos.
- In the West Bank, 248 Palestinians have been killed, and 5300 Palestinians are in Israeli jails, with 1260 of them held with no charge.
- Israeli Defense Minister ordered a siege on Gaza Strip, leading to a humanitarian crisis, which the UN human rights chief denounced as prohibited under international law.
- Canada is urged to uphold its commitment to international human rights and support the International Criminal Court's jurisprudence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
- A call to action is made to visit the National Council of Canadian Muslims' website and send a letter to the Canadian government.
- Peace cannot be achieved without addressing the root cause of the conflict, and the cycle of violence will continue if it remains unaddressed.

Friday Juma Khutba
October 13th, 2023

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