Pressure is building in Bangladesh against the interim government’s apparent interest in deploying forces to Gaza as part of an international stabilization mission. The Palestine Solidarity Committee has launched a public campaign, urging Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to uphold the country’s ethical legacy in support of Palestinians.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced of high-level talks in Washington. National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman reportedly told U.S. diplomats Alison Hooker and Paul Kapoor that Bangladesh is prepared in principle to join, echoing sentiments from Pakistan.
In their Sunday declaration, the committee painted a grim picture of Gaza: a war zone where innocents face daily perils without adequate aid. They argue a ‘stabilization’ force would intensify militarization, prioritizing disarmament of resistors over genuine peacebuilding.
Member Secretary Professor MD Harun-or-Rashid framed it as a ploy to dismantle Palestinian resistance. Drawing parallels to Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, he stressed national empathy for anti-colonial fights.
Dhaka’s track record includes resolute UN votes for Palestinian rights and condemnations of occupations. This potential pivot could tarnish that image irreparably. With no rebuttal from authorities, the debate underscores shifting geopolitical sands in South Asia and beyond.