Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, calling for understanding between the two sides.
Jonathan noted that what is needed in the immediate term, is a ceasefire between the two divides which will be followed by massive confidence building.
The former Nigerian leader warned that this is not the time for nations to take sides, calling on the international community to aim for peace, which, according to him, “is achievable.”
Over 65 Palestinians and 6 people from Israel have been killed as the deadly exchange of fire between Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli military escalates significantly.
The United Nations said it fears a “full-scale war” as Israel accuses Palestinian militants of having fired more than 1,000 rockets.”
Israel has also carried out hundreds of air strikes on Gaza leading to destruction of three tower blocks and killing of senior Hamas officials.
Over sixteen Palestinian children have been caught up in the conflict.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “gravely concerned” by the ongoing violence.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Jonathan said, “The present conflict in that part of the world can never be resolved by nations and institutions taking sides.
“It can only be resolved by those living within the borders of Israel and Palestine taking time to understand each other until they come to a place where they can coexist, co-prosper and eventually cooperate.
“For that to happen, what is needed, in the immediate term, is a ceasefire, followed by massive confidence building on both sides.
“That is what the international community should aim for. Peace. It is achievable. I sue for peace in both Israel and Palestine, and urge that every international support should be towards deescalating the conflict, rather than escalating it.”
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) blamed the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for what Palestine is currently going through in the hands of Israel.
They said that Nigeria under Jonathan played an ignoble role in the Palestinian question.
According to MURIC, while justice-seeking countries like Argentina, Chad, Chile, Jordan, China, France and Russia voted ‘Yes’ to the recognition of Palestine State in 2014, Nigeria dashed the hope of Palestine by abstaining.
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