Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday called for a just solution to the Palestine issue while batting for a peaceful life for Israelis.

The Mirwaiz had been placed under house arrest on Friday to prevent him from delivering his Friday sermon at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, which too was locked to prevent pro-Palestine protests.

The separatists have traditionally supported Palestinian rights but sidestepped questions on the rights of Israelis.

On Saturday, the Mirwaiz focused primarily on the rights of the Palestinians, seeking for them a life of peace and dignity.

However, he added: “The people of Israel should also live in peace. It is obvious that no one can be against any country.”

The Hurriyat leader urged the global community to fulfil its responsibility towards the Palestinians.

“The sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir along with the Islamic world have been hurt,” he told reporters, referring to the Gaza bombings by Tel Aviv in retaliation for Hamas’s attack on Israel.

“People whose hearts can feel the pain are saddened to see the silence (over Palestinian rights). We are seeing how bombs are showered on elders, children, women and innocents, and killings are taking place.”

He said there cannot be a unilateral decision on the issue: “The issue of Palestine is a long-pending one, and a just solution should be found to it. The rights of the people of Palestine should be given back to them. Their nation and their land have been squeezed. Can there be a bigger oppression than that?”

Budgam district in Kashmir and Kargil in Ladakh witnessed pro-Palestine protests on Friday. There is anger in the Valley following the authorities’ closure of the Jamia Masjid for prayers on Friday.

The Mirwaiz had recently been released after four years of house detention following the dilution of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. He has since resumed issuing political statements and is the only separatist leader known to be doing so.

Mainstream Kashmiri politicians have reacted angrily to the Gaza bombings.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti last week said it was unfortunate that it “takes such death & destruction for the world to awaken to the Israel-Palestinian conflict”.