ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: A conference on “Israeli aggression in Palestine and the responsibilities of world nations” appealed to international organisations and world leaders on Sunday to prevail upon Israel to immediately stop human rights violations in Palestine.

The conference organised by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was also addressed by its chief Altaf Hussain from London via telephone.

It adopted an eight-point resolution condemning the barbaric Israeli attacks on Gaza and other Palestinian cities and the killing of innocent people. It expressed complete solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people who became the victims of Israeli belligerence. The people of Palestine should not feel that they were alone and must continue their peaceful struggle, it said.

The conference appealed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, the European Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League to play their role in protecting Palestinians from the Israeli aggression. The UN secretary general must ensure that Israel followed international laws.

The speakers urged the OIC to expedite its efforts to bring together the heads of Muslim states against the Israeli barbarism.

They urged the UN to recognise Palestine as an independent and autonomous state. Palestine should be made a permanent member of the UN and its independence, autonomy and geographical borders should be respected.

They demanded an immediate end to the prolonged siege of Gaza and the lifting of economic blockade.

The resolution urged the government of Pakistan to convene a meeting of the heads of all Muslim countries and adopt a clear and definite position against the Israeli aggression.

The meeting said Israel had not only hurt the sentiments of the Muslim world but also violated human rights.

Altaf Hussain said that if religious parties did not raise their voice in support of the oppressed they would never be forgiven. The UN and European countries should intervene and stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, he said, adding that if Pakistani rulers did not have the courage to approach the UN they should take MQM workers to the world body to raise the issue.

The MQM leader said innocent Palestinians, including children, women and the elderly, were being targeted by missiles, drones and aircraft. “It is highly condemnable.”

Religious scholars from different schools of thought attended the conference and expressed their views on the topic.