PETRA chief slams Western hypocrisy over violence in Middle East

KUALA LUMPUR – PETRA Group chairman Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar has voiced grave concern at the ongoing Middle East violence, calling for swift justice and an end to the selective approach of Western nations over the bloody conflict. 

Sekhar emphasised the need to uphold justice against all who are responsible for the atrocities in the region.

He also called for a fair evaluation of political leaders involved in the conflict, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"All deaths are tragic, and those who commit atrocities must be brought to justice," he said in a Facebook post.

“But the sheer hippocrisy of the West towards what is now happening to the Palestinian people, and the atrocities continuing against innocent Palestinians in Gaza is nauseating. It’s absolutely disgusting."

“The selective hearing and selective memory being shown will not lead to peace or justice for either the innocent Palestinians or Israelis."

Sekhar's remarks come in the wake of the United Nations' (UN) condemnation of the armed conflict. 

Yesterday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly denounced "clear violations of international law" in Gaza, emphasising the need to protect civilians and criticising the use of civilians as human shields.

Guterres also noted that the recent assault by Hamas in southern Israel did not occur in isolation. He however stressed that long-standing Palestinian grievances could not justify such attacks. 

The US has called for "humanitarian pauses" in Israel's airstrikes, and European Union (EU) leaders are expected to call for a halt in hostilities to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Recent reports from Gaza's Ministry of Health indicate that the number of people killed there since October 7 has risen to 5,087.

Sekhar also described both warring factions as terrorists. Expressed his views on Hamas, he said the the group is a major source of suffering for the Palestinian people. 

"If you choose to label them as terrorists, I won't dispute it, provided that Benjamin Netanyahu and his extreme cabinet are also included in that category. External appearances and fluency in Western languages should not exempt them from such a designation," he said.

Sekhar also expressed grave concern about the ongoing situation in Gaza, describing it as war crimes and potentially verging on ethnic cleansing and genocide. 

He highlighted that the arming of illegal settlers, and the conditions of poverty, fear, and hopelessness faced by Palestinian families are acts of terror.

"What is happening in Gaza are war crimes and now on the precipice of ethnic cleansing and genocide," he said. – The Vibes, October 26, 2023