Government follows double standard in the Israel–Palestine issue: MP Mujibur Rahman

06-Jul-2025

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A 21-year-old youth from Mawanella, Suhail, has been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for the past eight months for allegedly having anti-Israel slogans on his mobile phone. 

United People’s Force MP Mujibur Rahman stated that the government is following a double standard in the Israel–Palestine issue.

Speaking at a media briefing held on July 4 at the United People’s Force office, he elaborated that the youth was arrested while walking near the Chabad building in Dehiwala, owned by Israelis. The police on duty questioned him, and when he could not produce his national identity card, they arrested and produced him in court.

Later, after his father produced the identity card in court and verified his identity, the court released the youth, who left for his home.

However, before he could reach home, police officers from Dehiwala arrived at his residence, claimed that his social media or mobile phone contained anti-Israel slogans, and arrested him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act that very night.

When a question was raised in Parliament to the Prime Minister regarding the Chabad premises in Dehiwala and their office in Kollupitiya, the Prime Minister confirmed that both premises were illegal. Despite this, a Sri Lankan citizen was arrested merely for being in the vicinity of the illegal premises, while the police provide security to the illegal centre itself.

How can this be justified? Citizens are arrested for lacking an identity card, but illegal operations are afforded protection. We ask the President what exactly is the foreign policy of this government.

Meanwhile, an English newspaper reported the day before yesterday that Israelis in the Argampitiya area are engaged in illegal drug trafficking. Likewise, they are reportedly involved in unlawful business activities in several places in our country. However, the government is reluctant to stop or take action against these activities. Who is the government afraid of?

The government’s past initiatives in support of Palestine have now withered away. People are arrested for simply storing anti-Israel images on their phones, yet no action is taken to prevent illegal activities by Israelis within the country. Is Israel exerting this pressure? Or is it the United States? If the government supports Israel, it should say so openly.

But as it stands, the government appears to follow a double standard on the Israel–Palestine issue—showing support for Palestine by day, while maintaining covert links with Israel by night. This duplicity must end.