WHY INDIA MUST STAND WITH PALESTINE

Source– The post is based on the article “Why India Must Stand with Palestine” published in The HINDU on 29th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- International Relations

Relevance– As rising confrontation of Israel and Palestine India must have a particular stand as both the nations were erstwhile colonial empire and now must stand against Islamphobia.

News– The article explains how the India’s shifting stand on Israel-Palestine reflects the changing contour of India’s foreign Policy.

What is Israel-Palestine Conflict?

The conflict has been ongoing for more than 100 years between Jews and Arabs over a piece of land between the Jordan river and Mediterranean river.

In 1947, the UN voted for Palestine to be split into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem becoming an international city. That plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arab side and never implemented.

What is Present Scenario?

Israel still occupies the West Bank, and although it pulled out of Gaza the UN still regards that piece of land as part of occupied territory.

Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Tensions escalated in recent month over Israel’s actions concerning Al-Asqa mosque in East Jerusalem.

What is India’s stand on this Issue?

During the 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution), India submitted that independence for Palestine should be the primary purpose of any plan for the future of the country.

India was also among the first countries that recognized the Palestinian state. In 1998, India co-sponsored the draft resolution on “the right of Palestinians to self-determination” in UNGA.

India has now taken cognizance of Human right violation done by Israel on Palestine

India supported installation of Palestinian flag at UN premises along with other observer states, like the flags of member states, in September 2015. There have been regular bilateral visits between India and Palestine.

India traditionally believes in the 2- State Solution and supports the establishment of a sovereign independent and the viable state of Palestine. India’s support for Palestine has not deterred its growing relationship with Israel. However, over the years, the Indian government has diluted its reaction to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

What is the way Forward?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, there has been increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures. So, India must adopt a balanced approach to dealing with this complex issue.