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Why Bangladesh Faces Exclusion from US-Backed Gaza Peacekeeping Force

A report from a Canada-based media outlet argues that Bangladesh is completely unfit for any role in a proposed US-backed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza. It states that Bangladesh's official non-recognition of Israel, trade prohibitions, and consistent diplomatic hostility violate the principle of neutrality required for peacekeeping. The report urges US diplomats to explicitly exclude Bangladesh from any such force to ensure its credibility. It further criticizes Bangladesh's domestic political decisions and its accusation against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Key Points: Bangladesh Unfit for Gaza Peacekeeping Role, Report Says

  • Bangladesh seeks role in Gaza force
  • Report cites lack of neutrality
  • Nation does not recognize Israel
  • US urged to exclude Bangladesh
  • Links to groups rejecting Israel cited
2 min read

Bangladesh unfit for any role in US-backed Gaza peace plan: Report

A report argues Bangladesh's non-recognition of Israel and hostile policies make it unfit for any role in a proposed US-backed Gaza stabilization force.

"The success of any future 'International Stabilisation Force'... hinges on one principle: genuine neutrality. - The J.CA report"

Ottawa, Jan 14

If the United States wants its proposed 'International Stabilisation Force' in Gaza to be credible and functional, it must make it clear that any force involving Bangladesh will not receive American diplomatic, financial, or military backing. The peacekeeping force cannot include a nation that refuses diplomatic ties with Israel, a report said on Wednesday.

"Bangladeshi officials issued statements on January 10 saying that their military should be deployed as part of the planned 'International Stabilisation Force' in the Gaza Strip. They also claimed that their National Security Advisor, Khalilur Rahman, also an economist and a former UN official, met with members of the Trump administration in Washington and discussed the idea," a report in Canada-based Zionist media, The J.CA, detailed.

It stressed that the situation is concerning, as Bangladesh is completely unfit for any role in future Gaza peacekeeping forces.

"The success of any future 'International Stabilisation Force' in the Palestinian enclave hinges on one principle: genuine neutrality. Without it, no peacekeeping mission can function. That is why the deployment of Bangladeshi soldiers to the Strip as part of a future force should be a non-starter for US diplomats and mediators," the report mentioned.

It is imperative, the report said, for the American government to understand that nations with a record of hostility toward Israel cannot be trusted as neutral peacekeepers.

"Bangladesh does not recognise Israel; officially prohibits trade with Israel; bars its citizens from travelling there; and consistently sides with Israel's enemies at the United Nations and at other international bodies. It has also persecuted its own citizens who have shown interest in a rapprochement with Israel. These are far from insignificant positions; they are core elements of Bangladeshi state policy toward Israel," it stated.

"Also troubling is that in 2024, Bangladesh rescinded a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami Party, which has been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood rejects Israel's existence and seeks the destruction of the Jewish state," it added.

According to the report, the fact that Bangladesh accused Israel of violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide in January 2024 should alone prevent it from having any role in Gaza.

It condemned Bangladesh's 2024 anti-Israel "statement" as outrageous, highlighting not only what was omitted, but also how it defended the Palestinian Authority's intransigence by claiming that "the Palestinian people must not be compelled to negotiate."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian, I see our neighbor's foreign policy at play. Bangladesh has consistently supported the Palestinian cause, much like India did for decades. While the US wants allies, forcing diplomatic relations as a condition feels wrong. The peace plan itself needs more legitimacy first.
R
Rohit P
The report makes a fair point about neutrality. If a country officially bars its citizens from even traveling to Israel, how can its soldiers be seen as impartial arbiters on the ground? Peacekeeping requires trust from all sides, not just one.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this perspective. From outside South Asia, it seems the US plan is trying to assemble a global coalition. Including a nation with such a clear official stance against one party to the conflict does seem to undermine the mission's credibility from the start.
V
Vikram M
Bangladesh has contributed significantly to UN peacekeeping worldwide. Their experience is valuable. This report reads like an attempt to disqualify any Muslim-majority nation that doesn't toe the line. The real issue is the US plan's viability, not Bangladesh's fitness.
K
Kavya N
The mention of Jamaat-e-Islami is a low blow, trying to link the state with extremism. Bangladesh has its own complex politics. This feels less about peacekeeping and more about pressuring nations to normalize ties with Israel, using Gaza as leverage. Not a good look.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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