New Delhi: Several prominent opposition leaders, including Mani Shankar Aiyar, Manoj Jha, and KC Tyagi, issued a joint statement on Monday (October 16) after a meeting with the Palestinian envoy in Delhi. The statement emphasized the importance of peacefully resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, addressing Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis, and condemning all acts of violence that perpetuate a cycle of destruction and suffering.
In their joint statement, the opposition leaders expressed deep concern about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people. They strongly condemned all indiscriminate acts of violence that endanger the lives of civilians, and they urged the international community to prioritize humanitarian assistance for those affected by the conflict.
However, it is crucial to address the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which includes the role of Hamas, a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the European Union and the United States.
Hamas has consistently fired rockets into residential areas of Israel, putting the lives of Israeli citizens, including women and children, at risk. These attacks have provoked Israel's response to protect its people and respond to the threats posed by these rocket attacks.
In the face of these provocations, Israel's response, while aimed at Hamas military targets, has also affected civilian areas in Gaza. The situation has led to widespread suffering for the Palestinian population in Gaza, and it is undoubtedly a humanitarian crisis that must be addressed.
The joint statement of opposition leaders cited Mahatma Gandhi's statement, "Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English and France belongs to the French," reflecting his belief in recognizing the Palestinian people's sovereignty and memorial rights, similar to any other nation's right to their homeland.
Recognizing the enduring suffering of the Palestinian people for over 75 years, the statement called for the international community to acknowledge the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders in accordance with UN resolutions. Such recognition, according to the opposition leaders, is a crucial step toward a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, granting the Palestinian people the opportunity to determine their own destiny and live in peace and security.
Diplomatic and multilateral initiatives are being urged to achieve long-term peace in the region, and these efforts should focus on addressing the actions of all parties involved, including those who initiate violence, in order to establish a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This approach will grant both Israelis and Palestinians the opportunity to live in peace and security while condemning all acts of violence that perpetuate the cycle of destruction and suffering.
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