Former minister of aviation Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria Abdullah Abu Shawesh and others have called for the end of violence in Gaza, and urged Israel to declare an immediate ceasefire.
The call was made at the Nigeria Info radio maiden edition of ‘Borderlines Debate’ with the theme, “Middle East Crisis, Pathway to peace,” anchored by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf in Abuja yesterday.
Fani-Kayode, while addressing the audience, outlined the historical context leading to the current conflict, attributing it to historical injustices and territorial ambitions.
The former minister said the Lebanese-born Rothschild family’s influential role had forced the integration of Jewish settlers into Palestine, thereby igniting the underlying tensions.
He pointed out the transformation of Gaza into a “massive concentration camp,” lamenting the dire conditions faced by its inhabitants.
He stated, “Food, water, medicine, electricity, nothing can enter Gaza.”
While advising Israel to accept the two-state proposal by the United Nations.
Echoing Fani Kayode’s sentiments, Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, delved deep into historical ties, referencing biblical accounts that affirm Palestine’s long-standing connection to its current inhabitants.
“We are the indigenous people, our name is there, even before Abraham became Abraham, he came to Canaan Land, Palestine,” he said.
While emphasising that the essence of Palestine spans millennia, he asserted the legitimacy of the Palestinian claim to the land.
Other prominent voices in the debate included Professor Mukhtar Imam and Professor Anthony Kila who underscored the complex historical narratives that have shaped the current conflict.
Imam, who is a professor of Political Science and International Relations at AlMuhibbah Open University, stated, “This is not about religion. This is clearly about geopolitics.”
Kila, a director of studies at the European Centre of Advanced and Professional Studies implored the audience to acknowledge the human cost of the conflict and to foster empathy across the divides.
He emphasised the need for an honest reflection on both sides, pointing out that extreme views on either side of the spectrum could hinder the pathway to peace.
He charged the Palestinians to do things differently, adding, “There must be one thing that Israel or Saudi Arabia is doing differently that made them every leader’s friends.”
Speaking on the possible impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on the crisis in the Middle East, Prof Kila said the US president-elect was unpredictable.
“He is expected to act the Israel way but he is not a person you can predict,” he said.
He added, “We have come to a phase where the leaders of Israel and Palestine come together to ensure that nobody dies again.”
Throughout the debate, the panelists remained resolute in their call for international attention to the ongoing crisis, urging audiences not only to witness the events in Gaza but to act decisively against the humanitarian disaster unfolding.
