Govt ‘Confused’ On Israel-Palestine Issue, Says Sharad Pawar; Know Why

Mumbai: Veteran politician and former Union minister Sharad Pawar has pulled up the Central government for its stand on the Hamas-Israel conflict.

The Nationalist Congress Party president said on Saturday that there is “confusion” in the Indian government on the Palestine issue.

He claimed he had “never seen such confusion” in previous governments and that India’s policy has always been to support Palestine, and not Israel.

Hamas, an Islamic political and military organisation which governs the Gaza Strip of Palestinian territories, launched a three-pronged attack on Israel three weeks ago, prompting Israel to reiterate with all its might.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on October 8 he was “deeply shocked” by the news of Hamas’ sudden attack on Israel and added.

“We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” he affirmed and reiterated his support for Israel on October 10 after speaking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On October 12, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that India’s long-standing stand has been the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable” state of Palestine.

Pointing out differing views within the government, Pawar questioned the “shift in India’s policy” vis-à-vis the Palestine issue and lamented thousands of people are dying there.

India abstained from voting in United Nations General Assembly on a resolution which called for a humanitarian truce between the warring sides, and demanded access of aid to the Gaza Strip and protection of civilians.

India’s reasoning was that the resolution didn’t mention the Hamas attack on Israel.