Opposition slams BJP ruled Union government for abstaining on resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” to drive home her point.

“I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 28, 2023

Inconsistent foreign policy

The Hyderabad MP, and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the move an inconsistent foreign policy.

He said,” This is a humanitarian issue, not a political one. In abstaining on the resolution, India stands alone in the Global South, in South Asia & in BRICS. Why did India abstain on an issue concerning civilian life?”

He further said, the prime minister condemned the Hamas attack but couldn’t agree to a UN resolution seeking a truce.

He added, “He spoke to the Jordanian King a few days ago, but abstained on a resolution that was introduced by Jordan. It is an inconsistent foreign policy.”

It is SHOCKING that @narendramodi govt abstained on the @UN resolution for a humanitarian truce & protection of civilian lives.

7028 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza. Over 3000 of them are children & 1700 women. At least 45% of housing in Gaza has been destroyed. Over… pic.twitter.com/kfg6ayoeZv

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 28, 2023

Related: India abstains on resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict

BJP hits back

Reacting to Priyanka Gandhi’s response, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who are “ashamed and shocked” must realise that India will never be on the side of terrorism.

“India’s Explanation of Vote spelt this out categorically. Our position on the Israel-Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent. Those who choose to side with terror do so at their own peril…,” the former minority affairs minister said on X.

“On a lighter note, Priyanka Ji, you should first educate yourself on things that are put out from your X account. Looks like people, who have no idea of Congress’s past positions on the situation, are advising you,” he said.

“What is worse is that in an attempt to make you look ‘better’ than Rahul, they are making you look silly,” Naqvi added.

For those who are “ashamed and shocked”, must realise that India will NEVER be on the side of terrorism.

India’s Explanation of Vote – spelt this out categorically.

Our position on the Israel – Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent.

Those who choose to side with terror… https://t.co/ICInsRqUSB pic.twitter.com/A3zwv9b7ha

— Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (@naqvimukhtar) October 28, 2023

‘Subordinate ally of US imperialism’

Calling the move shocking, the CPI(M) and the CPI in a joint statement said, “It shows that Indian foreign policy is now shaped by being a subordinate ally of US imperialism.”

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja said in the statement titled Stop this Genocidal Aggression in Gaza— that India’s move negates India’s longstanding support to the Palestinian cause.

The two Left parties said as the United Nations General Assembly adopted this resolution, Israel stepped up its “genocidal air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip”.

It has also cut off all communications in Gaza which is home to 2.2 million Palestinians, they said, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The decision to hold the protest on Sunday, 29 October was taken in an ongoing session of the Central Committee of the CPI(M). The three-day meet which started on Friday will conclude on Sunday.

The protest will be attended by members of the Central Committee and the Polit Bureau of the party.

Respecting the overwhelming mandate of the UN General Assembly there must be
an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations must reenergize itself to implement
the mandate of the Security Council for a 2-State solution with pre-1967 borders
with East Jerusalem as the capital of State… pic.twitter.com/F7fOjXH9BI

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) October 28, 2023

The resolution

India has said terrorism is a “malignancy” and knows no borders, nationality or race and the world should not buy into any justification of terror acts, as it abstained on a resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The resolution, which garnered 121 votes in favour, 44 abstentions and 14 member states voting against it, also demanded the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip.

The 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.

Besides India, countries that abstained from voting included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK.

Related: Anti-Hamas remarks by Shashi Tharoor spark a row

Israel-Palestinian conflict

According to media reports, the rising death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Thursday that more than 7,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict. Over 1,400 people were killed in the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7. Hamas has held more than 220 people hostage in Gaza.

Israel then launched retaliatory strikes which left a trail of death and destruction.

(With PTI inputs)