– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) New Democracy has sharply reacted to the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The party said the ceasefire does not resolve the core issue — justice for Palestinians. It also slammed the BJP-RSS-led Indian government for its silence on the matter.
On June 24, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire. This followed U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on June 22. The ceasefire was accepted by Iran and backed by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. also said it would not retaliate against Iran’s June 23 missile strike on the Al Udeid U.S. base in Qatar. Reports say Iran gave prior notice of the attack through Qatar, which helped mediate the ceasefire.
CPI (ML) New Democracy called the U.S. bombing a violation of Trump’s promise not to start new wars. The party said the operation failed in its goals.
It called the ceasefire a diplomatic setback. The party termed it a “misadventure” by both the U.S. and Israel.
“This is a defeat for the Zionist regime under Netanyahu and a moral win for Iran,” the statement said. It added that the event showed the weakness of Western imperialism. The U.S.-Israel strike was a weak attempt to regain control in a multipolar world, the party noted.
The statement also mentioned criticism of the strikes from Russia, China, and resistance groups like the Houthi-led forces in Yemen.
CPI (ML) New Democracy said the real problem in the Middle East is unresolved — the Gaza war and Palestine’s fight for nationhood. Citing Palestinian sources, the party said over 55,959 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. More than 131,000 have been injured, and 14,000 are missing. These numbers do not include casualties in the West Bank.
The party said the attack on Iran was a distraction from Israel’s failure to defeat Palestinian resistance. The U.S.-backed Zionist regime continues its occupation and genocide, it added.
The party also condemned the Modi government for staying silent. It accused the BJP-RSS regime of siding with the West. This has put India “on the wrong side of history,” the party said.
CPI (ML) New Democracy called for mass mobilisation in India. It urged democratic and revolutionary groups to push for Palestinian rights.
“There can be no peace in the Middle East without justice for Palestinians,” the statement concluded. It reaffirmed support for global resistance to Zionism and imperialism.
