The recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel made the Palestinians somewhat optimist to be independent after 75 years of struggle, said Ambassador of Palestine to Bangladesh, Yousef S. Y. Ramadan today.

“It’s the first step on the way (to be liberated).

We can build upon this,” he said while speaking at the flagship event of Diplomatic Correspondent Association Bangladesh (DCAB) styled “DCAB Talk” at the Jatiya Press Club here.

The envoy said ICJ should not stop here rather should continue the work to achieve the goal. “It should not just relax,” he added.

He said Palestine wants to provide ICJ with the evidence that Israel did commit genocide. “This is our duty.

This is the duty of everyone,” Ramadan added.

He expressed gratitude to Bangladesh and South Africa for their role in ICJ ruling as Dhaka supported the genocide case filed by Johannesburg with the ICJ.

The envoy lauded Bangladesh role and termed it as a very courageous move from Bangladesh.

The ICJ found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide and issued six provisional measures, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocidal acts, including preventing and punishing incitement to genocide, ensuring aid and services reach Palestinians under siege in Gaza, and preserving evidence of crimes committed in Gaza.

The envoy said that the international community for long has ignored the Palestinians’ issue just because Israel is a powerful country.

“Israel is there fighting us. But who are the countries standing beside it? The powerful countries,” he said.

Responding a question on UK’s positive reaction, Ramadan said the UK should have been the first to recognise the Palestinian State because all the problems of Palestine were created because of British policy.

The ambassador said US President Joe Biden is working very hard to find a solution but he should have done it much earlier.

DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and its General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also spoke.