Prominent human rights activists, politicians, and intellectuals condemned Israeli atrocities and reaffirmed India’s historical ties to the Palestinian cause
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A massive show of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza was witnessed at an event in the national capital on Saturday.
Possibly the largest display of support for the victims of the ongoing 14-month war in Gaza from within India, a conference organised by All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), brought together prominent human rights activists from across the country. Nepal’s former deputy prime minister Upendra Yadav presided over the event. Renowned journalist Suhail Anjum served as the moderator.
In his opening remarks, DrZafarul Islam Khan, Mushawarat chief and former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, emphasised that the gathering was not only a humanitarian show of support for the oppressed Palestinians but also a reminder of India’s historical connection with Palestine. He mentioned that this bond dates back to the 13th century when Baba Farid spent years meditating in Jerusalem. Later, in the 15th century, Guru Nanak also visited and stayed there. As a testament to this connection, the Indian Hospice still exists in Jerusalem today, supported by endowments from Gaza and Jerusalem.
Dr Khan highlighted India’s historical support for the Palestinian cause, mentioning the role of Indian leaders in the early 20th century. For instance, after the passing of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar in London in 1931, he was laid to rest in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a great honour. He pointed out that, until 1992, India did not officially recognise Israel. During Indira Gandhi’s tenure, India recognised the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and allowed it to open an office in the country. Following the Oslo Accords in 1992, India formally recognised Palestine, granting it the status of an embassy in New Delhi. Although government support for Palestine has waned in recent years, Indian Muslims and the general public have continued to stand firmly with Palestine against Israeli aggression.
Dr Khan briefly outlined the history of the conflict, explaining how Britain facilitated the settlement of Jews from around the world in Palestine, created private militias for them, and eventually, through the United Nations, allocated 56% of Palestinian land to them. By the end of the 1948 civil war, the Jews had seized 78% of Palestinian territory, and in 1967, they occupied the remaining 22%. Despite the Oslo Accords, which granted Palestinians limited self-governance over the 22%, Israel refused to implement it fully. This continued resistance led to Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which was rooted in a long history of Israeli oppression.
Dr Khan stated that under international law, the people of an occupied territory have the right to resist, while occupying powers are prohibited from committing atrocities. However, Israel has transcended all limits, turning Gaza into ruins, killing or injuring over 150,000 people, 70% of them being women and children. Israel has destroyed 800 mosques, dozens of churches, hospitals, hundreds of schools, and all 11 universities in Gaza. It has also blocked food, water, electricity, and medicine, causing starvation and the spread of diseases.
He noted that many nations have taken a stand against Israel, with dozens severing diplomatic ties or recalling ambassadors. Several countries have recognised Palestine as an independent state, and more than a dozen have filed cases against Israel for genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Arrest warrants have been issued by the ICC against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Gallant. Despite this, Israel continues its war crimes, backed by blind support from the United States and some Western countries.
Dr Khan concluded by stating that while most of the world, including India, stands with Palestine and Gaza, it is essential to condemn Israel’s actions unequivocally and support the oppressed.
Prof Achin Vinayak, a retired professor of international relations and global politics at the University of Delhi, stated that Israel holds the distinction of being the only country involved in the longest illegal military occupation in modern history. He said Israel claims to be a democracy, but its democracy is exclusive to Jews. Israel is also the only country in the world that has not provided a map to the United Nations. Recently, Prime Minister Netanyahu displayed a map at the UN General Assembly showing a large area of the Middle East as part of Israel.
He further highlighted that, after the Great Wall of China, Israel has built the second-largest wall in the world, stretching 700 km to separate itself from the occupied West Bank. While most countries have armies, Israel is a country defined by its military, with all Israeli men and women required to serve. Despite its military strength being capable of defeating the armies of all Arab nations combined, Israel continues to portray itself as a victim.
Prof Vinayak also pointed out that Israel is unique in that it is not a country for its citizens but rather for Jews worldwide, while Arab citizens living within it are denied equal rights. He explained that historically, colonialism has taken three forms: the extermination of native populations in places like the United States and Australia; the imposition of minority rule over the majority in countries like South Africa, which eventually collapsed; and Israel’s model, which aims to maintain control over non-Jews without granting them rights.
He said that in the past 14 months in Gaza, so many Palestinians have been killed or injured that if the same ratio were applied to India, it would equate to 70 million people. Under international law, occupying forces have no rights, while occupied people are allowed to resist to gain freedom. Israel aims to replicate its actions in Gaza in the West Bank to exploit the region’s oil and natural gas resources.
He concluded by stating that global support for Palestine and Gaza is growing, while Israel’s backing is declining. Palestinians are a resilient people but lack strong leadership. He criticised the Oslo Accords, claiming that the Fatah organisation became a subcontractor for Israel. According to Prof Vinayak, the solution lies in either a single state with equal rights for all or two sovereign states. He compared Zionism in Israel to Hindutva in India, describing them as sources of division and conflict.
Dr Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, remarked that Israel has committed greater human rights violations than any other country in history. He stated that with Western support and conspiracies, Israel has turned Palestinians into prisoners in two open-air jails, with no connection between them. He criticised those who blame Palestinians alongside Israel, reminding them of the events that have unfolded since 1948.
He noted that had the events of October 7 not occurred, Saudi Arabia would have already recognised Israel. The Oslo Accords have been forgotten, and the current conflict is a one-sided war, with Israel relentlessly bombing Palestinians. Even during this war, India has sent workers and weapons to Israel, showing concern for Ukraine but remaining silent on Palestine.
Despite global protests against Israeli aggression, India has not permitted any demonstrations. This conference, Dr Ilyas said, is the first of its kind in India, where such issues are being openly discussed. He saluted the Palestinians for their unmatched courage in resisting Israeli aggression, emphasising that their resilience stands strong despite immense losses.
Prof Sandeep Pandey, a socialist leader, argued that if another country behaved like Israel, the entire world would have united against it. Prof Pandey, winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, demanded that Israel’s UN membership be revoked. Reflecting on his visit to Gaza in 2010-2011, he described the people of Gaza as the bravest he had ever encountered.
He recounted how Israel’s siege of Gaza continued during his visit, yet no one complained. Palestinian walls bore slogans of resistance, and the families of leaders who had been martyred were remembered with pride. Prof Pandey mentioned that Israeli leaders likely did not anticipate the war lasting this long.
He also recalled how India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited refugee camps in Gaza in the 1960s, earning the enduring respect of the Palestinian people. Hamas leaders, including Khaled Mashal, told him that taking up arms was their last resort, taught by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of enduring oppression.
Prof Pandey emphasised that Hamas won elections in 2006, and organisations that come to power through democratic means should not be labelled as terrorists. He pointed out that while Israelis focus on a few hundred captives held by Hamas, over 7,000 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails.
He concluded by stating that Britain’s decisions in 1947 to partition both India and Palestine had left enduring consequences for the people of these regions. He called for a global boycott of Israel, similar to the approach taken against apartheid South Africa, to dismantle the Zionist regime. He questioned why Palestinians continue to suffer for Germany’s historical mistakes.
Samajwadi Party General Secretary and farmer leader, Dr Sunilam, stated that his organisation, the India Palestine Solidarity Forum, has organised events for Palestine across India and even in Nepal. He noted that the largest programme outside India took place in Nepal. He further mentioned that one of the organisation’s leaders is currently attending a pro-Palestine conference in Venezuela, which is not a Muslim country, just like South Africa. Therefore, it is wrong to consider Palestine as solely a Muslim issue; it is a humanitarian crisis. Dr Sunilam criticised Netanyahu, calling him even more ruthless than Hitler. He stated that Netanyahu’s targeted killings, and attacks on hospitals, and schools surpass what Hitler did. He added that an international warrant has already been issued against Netanyahu, and millions worldwide are protesting against these atrocities.
Renowned human rights activist Harsh Mander compared the current support for Palestine to the global solidarity seen during the Vietnam War. He said that while governments may side with Israel, people worldwide stand with Palestine. Mander reflected on the Holocaust, noting that the atrocities committed against Jews weren’t solely the work of the Nazi government but also involved ordinary citizens. After the Holocaust, the world vowed “Never Again,” but today, similar atrocities are being committed by Israel against Palestinians. He questioned whether the promise of “Never Again” was only meant for certain groups or all humanity. Mander clarified that their opposition is not against Israeli citizens but its government. He cited an international judge who remarked that Israel first occupied others’ land, then became a racist state, and eventually turned into a genocidal power. While voices are being raised against Israeli genocide worldwide, there is a limited outcry in India, and some even support Israel. He concluded by reaffirming the need to say “Never Again” and ensure it applies universally.
Nepal’s former deputy prime minister Yadav, in his presidential address, stated that what is happening in Palestine today surpasses even Hitler’s actions during World War II. He acknowledged that Hitler committed genocide against Jews, which the world condemned and continues to remember. Despite his atrocities, Hitler did not succeed and ultimately took his own life. Drawing a parallel with Vietnam, Yadav said that it was a small nation that triumphed over America despite overwhelming military power. He recounted how former US President Nixon explained that the war wasn’t between the American and Vietnamese armies but between American forces and the Vietnamese people, which is why Vietnam emerged victorious. Similarly, Yadav noted that while Palestine and even Arab nations are weaker compared to Israel, the Palestinians continue their fight against genocide. He emphasised that the suffering of Palestinians today exceeds what Jews endured under Hitler. He highlighted the killing of infants, the lack of medical aid for the wounded, and the blockade of essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and electricity. While some governments might support this genocide, people across the globe oppose it. Yadav stressed that Palestinians are fighting for their future and will not accept defeat. He urged the world to recognise their rights, as only then can progress be achieved. The ongoing oppression must stop immediately, and the United Nations and the global community must act decisively to end these atrocities.
At the conclusion of the conference, participants raised the Palestinian flag and pledged to continue the struggle for Palestine’s freedom and the end of Zionism.
