Despite knowing the fact that violence, conflicts and wars do not benefit any country in any way, countries not only engage in violent conflicts, they also pose a serious challenge to global peace, security, humanity and economy. Ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict can be quoted as a classic example here. First, Hamas, a worldwide ill-famed terrorist organisation, attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.
Rattled with the barbaric terrorist attack on its people including children and women, Israel announced a war against Hamas until it is eliminated completely. Since then, both Israel and Hamas are fighting a war that is impacting innocent people, and global peace and security by and large. Involvement of the surrounding nations and their statements fuelled the tensions, and this week observed an unfortunate situation in and around Israel including Gaza strip. India has so far put forward a very mature face by stating clearly on one hand that it stands with Israel against the brutal terror attack by Hamas, while reiterating its support for free Palestine on the other hand.
Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates with Global Impact
This week, Israel-Hamas conflict not only intensified, other countries like Iran and the US escalated the tensions in the region by their statements. Barbaric bombings at Al Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza Strip this week left at least 500 of Palestinians dead. Initially Israel was alleged to execute this attack but later Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon in New Delhi issued a recorded messageblaming the Islamic Jihad behind the bombing. He also detailed howthe rockets fired by the Hamas often fellin the Gaza territory only hurting Palestinian people.
While Hamas is asking for support from the Islamic world, the US is showing its rock-solid support towards Israel. Amid the serious catastrophic conditions for the people living in and around Israel, the conflict seems to be affecting rest of the world as challenges related to refugees, food and other supplies etc. have started hitting many countries of the world. Amid this all, the visits of the UK PM Rishi Sunak and the US President Biden this week to Israel shown a great support to Israeli people. However, Biden’s warning to Israel not to be ‘consumed by rage’ added a diplomatic connotation to the present conflict. Biden linked the terror attack of Hamas on Israel with the terror attacks against the US on 11 September 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people. By doing so, he clearly extended his support to Israel. However, when he stated, “But I caution this,while you feel that rage, don’t be consumed by it… After 9/11, we were enraged in the US. And while we sought justice and got justice, we also made mistakes.” He clearly suggested Israel to stay away from the brink at which a major regional conflict may start involving more countries in to it. Biden’s trip was also focused on ensuring humanitarian aids for those who are suffering due to this ongoing war apart from ensuring the conflict does not escalate any further. But, it seems that the conflict has already been heightened to the global level.
India Supports Israel-Palestine Peace Amid Conflict
India knew this well, and that’s why it has requested both Israel and Palestine to resolve the conflict. India has also collected many accolades for successfully executing its Operation Ajay to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel. Evacuated Indian and Nepali citizens have expressed their gratitude to Indian government for safely bringing them back from Israel. India has so far taken a neutral stand on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, but has strongly opposed the terror attack of Hamas. Soon after Indian PM announced India’s support to Israel, many asked about India’s intentions as supporting Palestine remain an integral part of Indian foreign policy.
Reports of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India clearly state that India is the first Non-Arab State to recognize Palestine Liberation Organization(PLO) as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974. India was also one of the first few countries to recognize Palestinian State in 1988. India also opened its Representative Office in Gaza in 1996, which was later shifted to Ramallah in 2003.
Basically, the first Indian PM, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the formation of Israel though the US resolution. In fact, Mahatma Gandhi had also stated, “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French.” Though India-Israel relations cannot be called very cordial in the initial years of the formation of Israel, Israel always proved to be a trusted support during the testing times of India. Israel supplied its ammunition to India during the India-Chinawar of 1962, India-Pakistan Wars of 1965,1971 and 1999. In past nine years, India and Israel developed a special, trusted and long-lasting strategic partnership. Today, both India and Israel are engaged in multiple key areas like defence and security, intelligence, technology, healthcare, culture etc. India strongly believes in the two-state theory when it comes to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and calls for peaceful Israel as well as Palestine.
Indian stand on Israel-Palestine conflict can be taken as a good start to resolve the conflict. Both Israel and Palestine need to respect each other’s territorial integrity. However, rest of the world, especially those who are supporting Hamas for whatever reason, need to understand that a terrorist organisation cannot be considered face of a democratic country. This understanding may help in resolving the conflict.
(The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU)