Sonia Gandhi, former president of the Congress party, has launched a sharp critique of the Indian government’s approach to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. She has called for a more assertive Indian stance on the Palestinian issue, accusing the government of a ‘deep silence’ that disregards both humanitarian and ethical considerations.
In a recent article, Sonia Gandhi suggested that the central government’s decisions are driven more by personal relationships than national interests or constitutional principles. She specifically pointed to the close friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a primary reason for India’s silence on Palestine.
The article also criticized the government’s reliance on personal diplomacy, citing the friendships between Modi and former US President Trump as an example. Gandhi argued that this approach is detrimental to India’s foreign policy, highlighting the recent setbacks the government has faced in its attempts at fostering these relationships.
She noted that several nations, including France, have extended recognition to Palestine, joining countries like Britain, Canada, Portugal, and Australia. Gandhi pointed out that over 150 out of 193 member states of the United Nations have acknowledged Palestine.
Highlighting India’s historical support for Palestine, Gandhi recalled the country’s long-standing backing of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). She emphasized that India formally recognized the Palestinian state on November 8, 1988. She also cited India’s strong stance against apartheid in South Africa before independence and its support for Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence (1954-62). Moreover, India played a crucial role in supporting Bangladesh’s independence in the 1971 war.
Sonia Gandhi asserted that India should take a leadership role in addressing the Palestinian issue, which she described as a fight for justice, identity, respect, and human rights. She emphasized that India has traditionally maintained a balanced and principled position on sensitive matters like Israel and Palestine.
This article marks Sonia Gandhi’s third commentary on the Israel-Palestine conflict in recent months, each time critiquing the Modi government’s approach.