In a parliamentary session, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem voiced his concerns over a Cabinet paper submitted by the Minister of Labour proposing to send 10,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers to Israel.

Hakeem's remarks were underlined by the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, and he equated the move to "lighting cigars while the homes of Palestinians have been set on fire."

During the parliamentary session, Hakeem expressed his strong stance against the Cabinet proposal, emphasizing the moral implications of sending Sri Lankan workers to Israel amidst the current conflict.

He drew attention to the dire situation in Palestine, where homes and lives are being affected by the ongoing hostilities.