KAMPALA, Uganda 

A Muslim thinker has lauded the Turkish people for their support of the sacrifices of Palestinians in defense of Jerusalem and rallied Africans to denounce the Israeli occupiers of the city.

Tareq Al-Suwaidan told Anadolu that African people should stand for justice and freedom for the oppressed Palestinians.

“I would like to send this message to our brothers and sisters in Africa, and especially in Uganda. After being liberated from colonization and injustice that happened for a long time, now that you are free, you should also support those who are not yet free, like Palestine,” he said.

“Africa is the origin of humanity, with an abundance of natural resources. Use them to better yourselves. You cannot support our Muslim causes if you are weak, so the best thing that we require from you is to be strong, to be advanced, to be effective. You have a huge role in our struggle for the Palestinian cause. Our role depends on our activities, our capabilities, those who can support with finances. There is a huge need for that. But if you don't, then you have a pen, you have a tongue, you have a media presence, a social media presence. Use some of your time. Devote that to Palestine. This is the cause of the whole world because the most injustice is happening for so many years now.

“All those who have any conscious, any ethics, any values, any morals, they should be supporting the Palestinian cause. Send the message to everyone. Let them be aware of the huge injustice that is happening and make them aware that we are all against this injustice. Be part of this struggle and you will see the results not only in this life, but in the highest levels of paradise,” he added.

Al-Suwaidan said the Arab world is not divided. The entire Muslim and Arab world is with Palestine, despite some leaders normalizing relations with Israel.

“Unfortunately, in the Arab world itself, we have some of our leaders who are traitors. They have normalized relations with our enemies. This is not the position of the masses, even in their countries. Many people in those countries refuse the relationship with the unjust regime of Israel,” he said.

- Africa-Israel relations

The relationship between Africa and Israel is complex. In the early 60s, Israel cultivated close ties with newly independent African countries as a way to counter the isolation and hostility imposed on it by its Arab neighbors. Israel hosted 32 embassies of the 41 independent African states.

The attitude towards Israel began to change following the Arab-Israeli war. As the fighting was ongoing, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) condemned Israel’s “unprovoked aggression” and called for an immediate cease-fire. All African countries abandoned Israel except four states – Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mauritius.

Until today, Israel remains locked out of the African Union, and the vast majority of the 54 African votes at the UN General Assembly are still reliably pledged to the Palestinians.​​​​​​​