Srinagar: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition today while initiating the discussion on the situation in Gaza following large-scale offensive by Israel in the Palestinian areas, expressed regret over the delay that has happened in the discussion on this grave issue.
According to a statement , Azad said that while United Nations was deeply concerned on the excessive use of force by Israel, leading to loss of hundreds of civilian lives, we in India were unable to take up a discussion on this subject in Rajya Sabha for about one week due to the unreasonable stand taken by the Govt.
Maintaining that India should have been the first country to stand up for the oppressed people of Palestine, in keeping with its tradition underlining that it was Governments responsibility to take lead on the subject, Azad said that I regret the obstructive stance taken by the Government to evade a discussion.
Azad expressed great concern on the loss of civilian lives in Gaza, especially children, women and aged, as also the massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. Mentioning about the massive civilian killings, Azad said that the no-holds barred assault by Israel has caused more than 400 deaths and injured more than 3000, adding that one-third of the killed are women and children and 80% civilians.
Deploring the attacks on civilians, Azad said that about 100 persons, mostly children and women were killed in one day on Sunday, forcing thousands to flee their homes and take refuge in camps and other safe places.
Expressing his deep anguish on the reported attack on a Hospital in Gaza in which 13 women, 17 children and 4 aged, in addition to others have been killed, Sh Azad said that such acts are most gruesome and despicable to be condemned in strongest possible terms.
Hailing Ban Ki Moon for his unequivocal condemnation of unabated attacks being carried out by Israel in Gaza, Azad said that he was encouraged to hear Secretary General calling the Israeli offensive as Attrocious Action.
Giving a historical perspective, Azad stated that Israel has consistently followed the policy of expansionism in the name of security, which has made the life of Palestinians miserable, severely curtailing their land, freedom and rights.
Urging the international community to take note of the shrinking and squeezing Palestinian territory, Azad said that the right from 1917, land of Palestine has been usurped by an unjust and aggressive third party by sheer abuse of military power.
Azad said that if we compare the maps of Israel and Palestine over a period of time since 1947, Israel has been consistently expanding its territory by occupying the Arab land.
Urging Israel to re-visit its policy of expansionism, Azad said that land-grabbing and peace-making are simply incompatible. He said that Israel seems to follow a policy of land vis-à-vis peace.
Making his dismay on the silence maintained by World powers known, Azad said that during the last 10-15 years, we have seen how self- interest, political and diplomatic interests have taken centre-stage for them, irrespective of principles and ideals. Azad questioned the silence of big powers on the aggression and expansionism of Israel.
He asked the Government to clarify if there is a shift in the foreign policy of the country with reference to Palestine, adding that India has consistently supported the Palestinian cause much before Independence, when the broad guidelines on this issue were laid by Gandhi ji. .
Quoting Gandhi ji from his 1938 essay about Palestine published in The Harijan, Azad said that Gandhi wrote: Palestine belongs to Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to English or France belongs to France. It is wrong and inhuman to impose Jews on the Arabs. The nobler course would be to insist on the just treatment of the Jews wherever they are born and bred.
Azad said that India has maintained a consistent policy with reference to Palestine after independence, with all Governments from Pt Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh, irrespective of Party affiliations, fully espoused their cause.
Reminding the NDA Govt about the stand taken by Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime minister of the country, Azad said that on a visit to Syria in November 2001, Vajpayee reassured full support to Palestinian cause, while upholding the Two-State solution based on relevant UN Resolutions and Oslo Accord.
Notwithstanding Indias support to Palestinian cause, Azad made it clear that we are not against Israel, but we cannot endorse the Israeli policy of aggression and expansionism against the oppressed and weak who have been deprived of basic human rights. Underlining the importance of West Asia from the economic and employment point of view, Azad urged the Government to pursue a pro-active approach towards West Asia, adding that 70% of the oil imports and 70 million Indians are employed and living in the region. He called upon the NDA Government not to underplay the importance of West Asia by looking at it through the prism of Cold war.
Azad, while concluding the speech urged the House to make a united appeal to de-escalate tensions and recommence the negotiations to prevent further loss of innocent civilians. He also urged the world community to work for the fulfilment of Two-State solution based on the UN resolutions and Oslo Accord of 1993.
India is the most pro-Israel Nation
Srinagar: President Doctors Association Kashmir -DAK, Dr Nisar ul Hassan today in a statement expressed deep anguish over the death of a youth at Khudwani Kulgam by security forces who was protesting against Israeli carnage on Gaza.
According to a statement issued, it is outrageous that security forces have critically injured seven more youth who were protesting against Suhails Killing. Kashmiris are protesting against Israel as it is committing crime against humanity in Gaza by massacring civilians and we have moral obligation to protest against this humanitarian disaster.
According to a statement , the killing of Suhail and critically injuring seven more in south Kashmir by Indian security forces is a vendetta against kashmiris as India cannot tolerate anti Israeli protests because it enjoys extensive military and strategic relation with Israel.
India is Israels largest defense market and almost 50% of Israeli military equipment is sold to India. India recently launched a military satellite for Israel through its Indian Space Research Organization. Indian External Intelligence Agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has clandestine link with Mossad, Israels External Intelligence Agency.India is the most pro-Israel nation ahead of even United States of America as per Israels Foreign Ministry report.
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