– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi, Sep 8: As Israel’s brutal war in the occupied Gaza Strip enters its 12th month, a national conference organized by India Palestine Solidarity Forum (IPSF) at Ghalib Academy here Friday, called on the international community to force Israel to implement immediate ceasefire, end the ongoing genocide, and establish a sovereign Palestinian state. The speakers also criticized the Indian government for abandoning the Palestinian cause, vowing to build a national movement involving diverse sections of society in support of Palestine.
The conference unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
- Demand an immediate ceasefire and end to the genocidal war on Palestine by Israel.
- Urge the Indian Parliament to pass a resolution calling on Israel to cease its military actions.
- Advocate for the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions and international law.
- Call on India to halt the supply of weapons to Israel.
- Encourage a boycott of Israeli companies and products.
- Announce a National Day of Solidarity with Palestine on October 7th, marking one year since the start of the Israeli offensive.
Addressing the conference, Basem F. Hellis, Counselor at Palestinian Embassy, emphasized that Palestine isn’t a religious issue but one of resistance against the colonial occupation by Israel. He spoke about losing over 200 members of his family in Gaza and highlighted the longstanding historic ties between India and Palestine, expressing gratitude for India’s continued support.
Dr. Sunilam, IPSF President, strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for the genocide and war crimes committed in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of betraying the Palestinian cause, calling India’s export of weapons to Israel a matter of national shame. He urged for a boycott of Israeli-linked companies and products and called for nationwide protests on October 7th to commemorate one year of the brutal genocide of Palestinians.
Feroze Mithiborwala, IPSF General Secretary, provided insight into factors leading to October 7th uprising, describing it as a “Prison Break” after 17 years of Gaza siege. He suggested that Netanyahu, facing corruption charges, provoked Palestinian resistance to justify the war. Mithiborwala also warned of the extremist Jewish Zionist leaders’ intentions to destroy Masjid Al Aqsa to build Temple of Solomon.
Mufti Ashfaq H. Qadri, Chairman of All India Tanzeem Ulama-i-Islam, reminded youth of the historic and rich Indo-Palestinian ties, while MJ Vijayan, representing Indians for Palestine, stressed that Palestine is a global cause, integral to all of humanity, noting that 11 eminent citizens have filed a case in the Supreme Court, demanding that Adani-Elbit and two public sector companies cease supplying weapons to Israel. He also mentioned recent national signature campaigns in Bengaluru and Mumbai aimed at canceling pro-Israel public programs.
Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri, IPSF Vice-President, discussed the shifting geopolitical and strategic balance of power, noting the decline of US-Israel-led Western bloc. He accused Israel of committing a Holocaust in Gaza, citing a Lancet report that claims over 200,000 deaths. He condemned Israel for targeting and destroying residential buildings, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, power stations, and water supplies, with the ultimate aim of ethnic cleansing. However, he expressed hope that, in the coming years, Palestine will be free from Israeli Zionist occupation.
