Addressing a gathering of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers in Mumbai, the NCP leader, Sharad Pawar expressed India's historical support for the cause of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized that former Prime Ministers of India have consistently extended their solidarity to Palestine, underscoring the nation's commitment to peace in the world.
Pawar stressed the significance of the dispute between Israel and Palestine, highlighting the origin of the territory in question. He articulated that the entire region belonged to Palestine, and the encroachment by Israel had led to the current situation. According to him, the land and properties were originally Palestinian, but Israel took control of them. He characterized Israel as an external presence that established itself in an area originally possessed by Palestine.
The veteran politician pointed out that prominent Indian leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had consistently held similar positions on the Israel-Palestine matter. He maintained that the Indian government's stance had consistently aligned with the rights of the original landowners, expressing a historical commitment to supporting the people of Palestine.
Pawar expressed his disappointment at the recent shift in India's position, particularly the alignment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Israel, diverting attention from the underlying issue. According to him, it was unfortunate that Prime Minister Modi had not acknowledged the core problem and had instead chosen to side with Israel. He underscored the importance of maintaining a clear stance, emphasizing the NCP's dedication to supporting the individuals who have historically inhabited the disputed land.
Pawar's statements came in the wake of Prime Minister Modi's recent expressions of solidarity with Israel and his condemnation of the "terrorist attacks" in the region. Modi had conveyed his sympathy for the victims and their families, expressing unwavering support for Israel during this challenging period.
Subsequently, during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, on October 10, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his position, reaffirming the Indian people's strong backing of Israel and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.
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