Denounce Hamas, Support Two-State Solution: India's Statement Shows You Don't Have To Be Pro-Terror To Support Palestine

After the unprecedented attack on Israel by Palestinian terror outfit Hamas on 7 October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his deep shock at the "terrorist attacks" and "solidarity" with Israel through a statement on X.

However, the official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the issue came on Thursday (12 October), aiming to present a nuanced perspective.

During the weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that there is a “universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law,” and there is also "a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations".

The mention of a "universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law" is directed towards Israel's aerial strikes in Gaza.

Additionally, the clause, “international humanitarian law,” also seeks to protect innocent civilians and so this is meant for Hamas, which killed civilians including women, children and the elderly in its attack on southern Israeli towns.

The targeted terror attacks against Israeli civilians have resulted in a death toll of 1,300 on the Israeli side. In Gaza, the number of casualties due to Israeli retaliatory air strikes has risen to over 1,500.

The formulation, “global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” in the MEA statement is a strong signal of support to Israel.

During his phone conversation with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as in his tweets, PM Modi had also said that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations

Israel has reported that 1,500 Hamas terrorists were killed within Israel, while the death toll in Gaza includes hundreds of Hamas members.

New Delhi has also reiterated its traditional stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, as the MEA spokesperson said, "India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel".

“Our policy in this regard has been long standing and consistent," Bagchi said.