In a powerful display of solidarity with Palestine, over a million people in Bangladesh converged on the streets of Dhaka on Saturday, participating in the nation's largest rally dedicated to the cause of Gaza. The massive assembly, known as the "March for Gaza," saw participants from all walks of life, including politicians, celebrities, artists, poets, and social media influencers, uniting in a resounding call for justice and an end to Israeli actions in the Palestinian territory. A central element of the demonstration was a public oath taken by the attendees to actively boycott products and entities that maintain links to Israel, signifying a grassroots commitment to economic pressure.

Waving the flags of both Bangladesh and Palestine, the vast multitude of demonstrators filled the Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka's primary public space, with fervent chants demanding "Free Palestine," an end to "Israeli aggression," and a widespread "Boycott Israeli products." The Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh, the organizing body behind this significant event, amplified the voices of the crowd, urging global leaders to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other responsible individuals accountable for the extensive loss of Palestinian civilian lives in Gaza. The presence of prominent political figures underscored the gravity of the situation and the demand for immediate international intervention to halt the deadly Israeli offensive.

A unified declaration, articulated during the rally, implored the international community to undertake "effective and collective action to end the genocide" unfolding in Gaza. Specifically, the declaration called upon Muslim nations to immediately sever all forms of economic, military, and diplomatic ties with Israel. Furthermore, it advocated for the imposition of comprehensive commercial blockades and sanctions on the "Zionist state" as a means of isolating it on the global stage and compelling a change in policy. The declaration emphasized the personal responsibility of individuals to participate in this boycott, starting within their own homes and extending its impact across various aspects of life, including language, history, education, economy, and society.

Mahmudur Rahman, the editor of the Amar Desh daily newspaper and a key organizer of the march, read the powerful declaration to the assembled masses. He highlighted the unprecedented scale and peaceful nature of the demonstration, emphasizing its significance as an example for the world. Rahman stressed that the protest transcended religious boundaries, representing a unified stance against the "inhuman genocide" perpetrated by the Israeli regime and a call for the global Muslim community to unite in the liberation of Palestine. Beyond the boycott, protesters also urged their own government to reinstate the "except Israel" clause in Bangladeshi passports, a travel restriction that had been removed in 2021 despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

For many participants, the call to boycott Israeli-linked goods resonated deeply with actions they had already undertaken. Individuals like Arman Sheikh, a Dhaka businessman, shared their personal commitment to avoiding Israeli products and even popular international brands perceived to have connections with Israel since the latest escalation of conflict. Nasrin Begum, a teacher, echoed this sentiment, detailing her conscious effort to research the origins of products, particularly cosmetics, and opt for local alternatives whenever a link to Israel was discovered. These personal accounts underscored the belief among the protesters in the collective power of consumer action to make a tangible difference and their unwavering determination to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596778/world