Tens of thousands in Pakistan call for jihad against Israel

Tens of thousands of supporters from Pakistan’s main religious political party rally in the eastern city of Lahore against Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza and what it says is the world’s failure to protect Gazans.

Amid anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans, the emotionally charged crowd also calls for jihad, or holy war.

Earlier this month, Jamaat-e-Islami held massive rallies in the port city of Karachi and the capital, Islamabad.

Supporters, including women and children, march for several kilometers to reach the location of the rally, holding banners and posters with slogans opposing Israel and the United States and in support of the Palestinians.

Senator Sirajul Haq, the JI chief, says the ongoing rallies in support of Palestinians around the world awaken world governments and give a voice to the innocent.

He says the resolutions and words issued by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation will not work, and that Muslim rulers have to rise and to stop the hand of the aggressor.