Dhaka, Jan. 5 -- The beleaguered and battered Palestinians received two gifts on new year's eve and one on the first day of the new year. The greetings on the eve of new year were in stark contrast while the one the day after was an extension of what has been meted out to the Palestinians since October 7 last year, courtesy the occupying power Israel and its backers in the West.

The gift that pleased the hearts of Palestinians and lifted their spirits in their darkest hours came from an unexpected quarter, South Africa. Its government sent a letter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), formally requesting it to initiate proceedings against Israel for carrying out genocide against the Palestinians since October 7,2023. Many importa...