At a recent pro-Palestinian rally in Dakar, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko called for Islamic nations to boycott Israel and increase efforts to isolate the Jewish state.
This marked the first appearance by a high-ranking Senegalese official at such an event since the Israeli conflict in Gaza reignited on October 7, 2023.
During the rally, participants chanted slogans such as “Boycott Israel,” “Free Gaza,” “Netanyahu Criminal,” “Western Complicity,” and “UN Complicity.”
Prime Minister Sonko criticized the Israeli leadership, accusing them of trampling over thousands to evade justice.
He emphasized the need for greater unity among Islamic countries to support Palestine and advocated for a strategic approach to effectively isolate Israel.
Sonko highlighted the ongoing severe consequences of the conflict, noting that since October 7, the Israeli offensive has resulted in over 42,000 deaths and 94,000 injuries in Gaza.
He argued that simple calls for restraint were insufficient and urged for economic, political, and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.
The Prime Minister stressed the dire situation in Gaza, where residents face intermittent bombings, famine, and a healthcare crisis.
He also noted a growing global solidarity movement for Gaza and Palestine, mentioning recent upticks in support at universities in the US and across Europe.
Palestinian medical sources reported on Saturday that 89 people were killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours, while 26 others were killed in the West Bank.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign, which began on October 7, has brought the death toll in Gaza to 40,691, with an additional 205 injuries in the past day, raising the total number of wounded to 94,060. Most of the casualties are women and children.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces reportedly killed 26 Palestinians and arrested around 30 during operations in Jenin and its refugee camp.
