Kochi: The Palestinian issue is a humanitarian crisis and a matter of international law, not a religious conflict between Muslims and Jews, said Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, Ambassador of Palestine to India. Speaking at the ‘Gaza Solidarity Conference’ organised by the Indian Union Muslim League, he highlighted that the occupation of Palestinian land by Zionists is the core issue. He noted that the first government formed by Yasser Arafat included a Jewish minister, underscoring that the struggle is not about faith.
Ambassador Shawesh recalled India’s longstanding support for Palestine, citing leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He urged participants to use social media to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinians, especially women and children, stressing that the Palestinian people cannot be labelled as terrorists despite attempts by Zionists. Drawing from his own experience growing up in a refugee camp in Gaza, he emphasized that the root cause of suffering is the Israeli occupation and ethnic cleansing.
During the conference, IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal condemned the starvation and violence faced by Gaza’s children, describing the attacks as violations of the Geneva Conventions. He criticised the Indian government for distancing itself from the Palestinian cause, which was historically linked to India’s freedom movement. IUML national secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty presided over the conference, while senior journalist Venkitesh Ramakrishnan delivered the keynote address. The event reinforced calls for global awareness and advocacy to support Palestinian rights and humanitarian relief.
