Israel has proven repeatedly that it has nothing to do with international law, and that its sole ambition is absolute regional dominance by any means necessary. From the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza to the recent audacious strike in Doha, the Zionist regime’s latest provocations threaten not just Palestine but the stability of the entire region. Had any other group attacked six countries within a week, it would have been designated an international terrorist organization immediately. However, the West’s hypocrisy shields the political entity from such measures, which is shameful. This cannot be allowed to continue. Israel’s insolence warrants not just condemnation but also a firm global response, especially from the 1.8 billion-strong Muslim world.

Without an iota of doubt, Israel is an unrepentant arsonist that continues to torch every norm of humanity and diplomacy with impunity. Its unwarranted aggression, including cross-border attacks and land grabs in Syria and the West Bank, is an openly declared policy and a strategy to dominate the region. The way the occupation forces have turned Gaza from an open-air prison into a slaughterhouse in the last two years is sickening.

Moreover, the attacks against Damascus in multiple locations, including the weekend ground operation in Deraa province just a week after launching a training compound dubbed “Lebanon Facility” in Syria’s Golan Heights, are all deplorable acts. But it is regrettable that global condemnations started pouring in only after last week’s strike on Doha. Now, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are talking about shredding the Abraham Accords, while Turkiye closed its airspace to Israel and banned its ships from Turkish ports. Although the steps are satisfactory, they are not enough.

Pakistan must act like a state that understands its responsibilities and lead this charge. As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the Doha summit, he must keep in mind that Islamabad is a voice that others in the Muslim world listen to

Since world leaders are unlikely to take any decisive action against Israel at this stage, Muslim countries must use their exclusive platforms to forge a response. The 57-nation OIC holds an untapped advantage, and it must wield this power firmly. Though only a flicker of unity, the convening of an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha today is a welcome move, which can be used as a tool to restore the balance deliberately broken.

Pakistan must act like a state that understands its responsibilities and lead this charge. As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the Doha summit, he must keep in mind that Islamabad is a voice that others in the Muslim world listen to. Since Israel has been recklessly flouting the Abraham Accords, it is high time the Muslim world suspended all normalization pacts and pushed UN resolutions for Palestinian statehood based on 1967 borders.

Moreover, targeted sanctions must be imposed on Israeli officials and firms so as to raise the cost of occupation and block profiteering from war crimes. While doing so, Muslim leaders must act prudently and counter Israel’s aggression without provoking all-out war. For its part, Pakistan must promote the BDS movement and approach the UNSC, seeking Israel’s accountability, designating the IDF as a terrorist entity and demanding IAEA inspections of the hostile entity’s nuclear program.

Muslim states must put a unified stance before the world, one that combines diplomatic pressure with humanitarian leadership. The time for half-measures is over. If the rod is the only logic for the fool, it is high time the world used the rod to discipline the loose cannon.