Minority Appeasement Or National Interest? Sonia Gandhi Takes Aim At Modi Government's UN Position On Israel-Hamas War

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has criticized India's decision to abstain from the United Nations vote on a truce in Israel and Palestine.

In an editorial for The Hindu, she reiterated the Indian National Congress's consistent stance, supporting direct negotiations for a sovereign, independent, viable, and secure state of Palestine coexisting in peace with Israel.

Gandhi pointed out that this position aligns with the Ministry of External Affairs' statement on 12 October, 2023, but it was reiterated after Israel's assault on Gaza, as the Prime Minister initially expressed solidarity with Israel without mentioning Palestinian rights.

Gandhi expressed the Congress's strong opposition to India's abstention on the recent UN General Assembly Resolution calling for an "immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce", as reported by Hindustan Times.

She noted that both sides in the Israel-Palestine conflict desire dialogue and lamented that many influential countries are taking a partisan approach.

Gandhi called for the cessation of military activities by the loudest and most powerful voices to end the cycle of violence in the region and promote peace.

India's abstention on the Jordan-drafted resolution calling for a truce while not condemning Hamas was explained by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who emphasized India's strong stance against terrorism and the need for a consistent position.

India had voted in favor of an amendment proposed by Canada to condemn Hamas, citing the importance of condemning terror attacks universally.