Ottawa, Jan 14 (NationPress) For the United States to ensure that its proposed ‘International Stabilisation Force’ in Gaza is perceived as credible and effective, it is essential to clarify that any involvement of Bangladesh will not be supported by American diplomatic, financial, or military resources. A report highlighted that peacekeeping efforts cannot include a country that maintains no diplomatic relations with Israel.

On January 10, Bangladeshi officials suggested that their military should participate in the anticipated ‘International Stabilisation Force’ in the Gaza Strip. They also indicated that Khalilur Rahman, the National Security Advisor and a former UN official, had discussions with members of the Trump administration in Washington regarding this initiative, as detailed in a report by the Canadian media outlet, The J.CA.

The report expressed concerns, asserting that Bangladesh is entirely unsuitable for any involvement in future peacekeeping missions in Gaza.

“The effectiveness of any future ‘International Stabilisation Force’ in the Palestinian region relies on a single principle: true neutrality. Without this, no peacekeeping operation can be successful. Consequently, the potential deployment of Bangladeshi troops to the Gaza Strip should be dismissed outright by US diplomats and mediators,” the report stated.

It is crucial for the US government to recognize that nations with a history of animosity towards Israel cannot act as impartial peacekeepers.

“Bangladesh does not acknowledge Israel, officially disallows trade with Israel, prevents its citizens from traveling there, and consistently aligns with Israel’s adversaries at the United Nations and other international forums. Furthermore, it has persecuted its citizens who have shown interest in establishing relations with Israel. These are not trivial stances; they are fundamental aspects of Bangladesh’s policy toward Israel,” the report elaborated.

Another alarming development is that in 2024, Bangladesh lifted a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami Party, which has connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood denies Israel’s legitimacy and advocates for the destruction of the Jewish state.

According to the report, Bangladesh's accusation against Israel for breaching the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide in January 2024 should suffice to exclude it from any role in Gaza.

Furthermore, the report condemned Bangladesh’s 2024 anti-Israel statement as outrageous, criticizing not only the omissions but also how it defended the Palestinian Authority’s obstinacy by claiming that “the Palestinian people must not be forced to negotiate.”