Cut Ties With Israel Over Gaza, Muslim Leaders Urge Ruto

Yesterday, Muslim leaders in politics and religion urged the government to sever its ties with Israel.

The leaders have voiced their support for Palestinians under siege and they have proposed activities to showcase their solidarity. Their specific demands include the expulsion of Israel's ambassador and the recall of the Kenyan ambassador to Israel in a move to condemn the killings in Gaza. Despite President William Ruto's unyielding support for Israel, Members of Parliament Omar Mwinyi and Yusuf Hassan, former Mandera senator Billow Kerrow, and National Muslim Leaders Forum (Namlef) chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi are urging the international community to provide assistance to trapped Palestinians without access to basic necessities.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas militants reached new heights on October 7 when the militants attacked the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 1,300 recorded deaths. This event only heightened already-existing tensions between the two nations, exacerbating the issue and instigating Israel's retaliatory bombings in Gaza. As a result, numerous Palestinian individuals have lost their lives. Taking account of these terrible occurrences, Mr Mwinyi has pledged to bring Parliament together for a motion on the ongoing situation in Palestine. An anonymous US spokesman has claimed that the United States is supporting the Israeli government, despite accusations of crimes against innocent civilians.

As tensions escalate, Israel has also halted the provision of essential resources such as food, water, and electricity to 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza, prompting leaders to condemn this action as oppressive. The spokesperson urged the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. Sheikh Ahmed Othman, the Imam of Landhies Mosque, criticises Dr Ruto for aligning with Israel, arguing that this decision contradicts his supposed commitment to fighting for the oppressed.