‘Attempts to ethnically cleanse the land’

Palestinians evacuate a building targeted by Israelis in Gaza City on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

As an Israeli air raid killed 24 Palestinians, social media is buzzing with support for Palestine. "It is inevitable that people will not speak in a single voice on any issue, let alone one of the flashpoints of the world," said Mumbai's Firoze Mithiborwala, national general secretary, India Palestine Solidarity Forum (IPSF). The IPSF said in a statement, "We stand in solidarity with the Palestine people. We condemn the Israeli regime in their continued attempts to undermine and destroy the Al-Aqsa Masjid."

Mithiborwala claimed the attempt to evict Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood is in consonance with the "larger design of Israel which is ethnic cleansing. It is to make life so difficult for Palestinians that they leave the country". The secretary claimed that the Forum's statement was to amplify the sentiment of a section of "Indian people, not of the Narendra Modi-led government which leans towards Israel. Having said that, we do hope India joins in international condemnation of Israel action," stressed Mithiborwala.

Against apartheid

The pro-Palestine group was asked about the other side. When told that evictions were taking place because of legal cases and because Sheikh Jarrah residents had, according to Israeli accusers, not paid rent for decades. And that Al-Aqsa saw action because of weapons stored there by Palestinians. The IPSF dismissed the accusations claiming that rent had not been paid. The IPSF said there were no weapons, except some stones which may have been stored inside the mosque.

Dr Sunilam, Delhi based IPSF vice-president, said endorsing support to Palestine, "India needs to stand against the Israeli apartheid regime like we stood against South Africa apartheid. The Israeli apartheid regime is more dangerous than South Africa's apartheid was. Our stand as a country has always been consistent with seeing an independent Palestine and its people existing in a peaceful environment." Mumbai's Shahid Pradhan, who also holds the vice-president's post, said, "India has historically stood for the rights of Palestine. Indira Gandhi was very close to Yasser Arafat and considered him her rakhi brother. People with a conscience have to support Palestine."

The other side

A counter-movement, the Indo-Israel Friendship Association claimed, "Pro-Palestine organizations have taken advantage of the Congress stand which has been imbalanced when it comes to India and Palestine." Jagdish Shetty, honorary secretary of the Association added, "The Indian masses have always supported the Jews of Israel and considered Israel a true and steadfast friend."

On claims by the pro-Palestine activists that Israel was the aggressor and instigator in chief, Shetty said, "It is the Palestinians who pelt rocks at Israeli police and then run into the Al-Aqsa mosque, and when police take action, it is termed as high-handedness." The pro-Palestine group was categorical in claiming that Israel is an, "occupying force so Palestine is within its rights to use any means against the aggressor."

Shetty shot back that Israel has supported India on the Kashmir issue, speaking out against Pakistan's stand and is helping India in its fight against Corona. "India has to be allied with Israel in times of its gravest crisis," he signed off.