The 12th day of the latest conflict in West Asia between Hamas and Israel has shown the whole world the ‘duplicity’ of the global powers and even regional powers. While on the one hand the western powers are urging Israel to exercise caution before launching a three-front offensive by it, the POTUS in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday last, said it would be a “big mistake” for Israel to occupy Gaza. But at the same time he ordered two aircraft carriers to move to the regional waters, ostensibly to offer tactical support to Israel and he may visit Israel soon, as per the reports originating from Washington say.
Similarly, while the UN too has urged Israel to not turn this conflict into a human tragedy for the vast multitude of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, a draft resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, aid access, and safe evacuation of civilians moved by Russia was vetoed at the UN. Curiously the draft resolution received only five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland), which shows the ‘duplicity’ of UN’s western members. But at the same time it also points to the ‘duplicity’ shown by Russia, which always vetoed or opposed any UN resolution related to its war with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, claims that “no one can stop resistance forces” if Israel continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the brutal attack by the Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, on 7th October. Though Israel has made it clear that it wants to destroy Hamas.
At the same time we can’t overlook the ‘duplicity’ of Israel, which wants to retaliate against Hamas as it attacked ‘innocent Israeli’ citizens but at the same time it has no qualms to attack Gaza Strip and annihilate ‘innocent Palestinians’ through its three-pronged attack, though all Palestinians are not Hamas supporters. Further, though it is threatening to annihilate Hamas in Gaza, it very well knows the human cost of such a misadventure and in spite of moving forces to the border it hasn’t ordered them to move further.
POTUS said it would be a “big mistake” for Israel to occupy Gaza. But at the same time he ordered two aircraft carriers to move to the regional waters, ostensibly to offer tactical support to Israel and he may visit Israel soon
In between all this, the conflict has claimed its first journalist Issam Abdallah, associated with news agency Reuters. Footage released online shows Abdallah and other colleagues were clearly marked as “Press” when they were fired upon by a projectile launched from Israel. And in the U.S., TV channel MSNBC has sacked its three Arab/Muslim-origin anchors, exposing the ‘duplicity’ about freedom of the press.
All this activity makes us one wonder whether India could be at the forefront of diplomatic initiatives to get this west Asian tragedy resolved once and for all. And in addition whether motivated by the Hamas attack, the non-state terror elements in Pakistan may get emboldened to launch a similar strike against India in Jammu and Kashmir region.
As far as the answer to the first question is concerned, as India’s first response to the attacks, the PM commented on X: “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour”.
Many people started criticising him for deviating from India’s long-standing policy on Palestine. But if we contextualise the statement then we can say that this immediate reaction was to condemn terror not the Palestinian cause, as India has been at the receiving end of the terror tactics supported by Pakistan in the past, and moreover this X comment was in his personal capacity.
Israel wants to retaliate against Hamas as it attacked ‘innocent Israeli’ citizens but at the same time it has no qualms to attack Gaza Strip and annihilate ‘innocent Palestinians’ though all Palestinians are not Hamas supporters
The state policy was clarified immediately, when the MEA issued the statement: “Our policy in this regard has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel.”
In fact PM Modi paid a historic first-ever visit to Palestine on 10th February 2018, from where he flew to UAE and Oman. And prior to that he had hosted the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in New Delhi, but within a span of a fortnight he had also hosted the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and King Abdullah of Jordan, thus expanding India’s diplomatic relations and circle of influence with key west Asian nations. This wide network places India in a unique position to strive to get the Palestinian question settled once and for all, as per the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and to emerge as the natural voice of the Global South.
Now coming to the second question of India’s concern about possible terror attacks from across the border in Kashmir. A sample of this anti-India attitude and provocating the terrorist elements was evident when former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law and Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Captain Safdar openly made provocative statements against India and Israel at a pro-Palestine rally in Peshawar. He targeted India and Israel regarding Kashmir and Palestine. Addressing the rally, Safdar said that if Muslims are not prepared for Jihad then they’ll facing humiliation. He urged the Muslims to “Be ready for jihad and Be ready for Ghazwa-e-Hind”, putting the battle/concept in a completely wrong context.
Indeed cross border infiltration is a key concern for India but the manner in which Indian Army has consolidated its reconnaissance and deterrent capacity in the Jammu, Baramullah and Kupwara sectors, those chances seem bleak. We have a fenced border along the Line of Control, supplemented with the latest surveillance technological measures, and at the same time India has also evolved its human shield into a formidable position with different layers along the length of the LoC.
India could be at the forefront of diplomatic initiatives to get this west Asian tragedy resolved once and for all, besides keeping an eye on non-state terror elements in Pakistan who might get emboldened to launch a similar strike against India
So, though there are very rare chances of any such incursions but still we can not completely discount a rogue activity, but those non-state elements may have to fall in line like Hamas, which had started this adventure just to remain relevant to the Palestinian question, as doubts were being raised whether signing of the Abraham Accords and Saudi Arabia inching towards both Iran and Israel, may make forces like Hamas irrelevant.
Similarly, non-state actors in Pakistan should remember that any adventure on their part will further isolate Pakistan in the international community and given the current situation of the country even the Pakistani Army might not be ready to buy-in and sponsor such a misadventure.
–The writer is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He can be contacted on www.asadmirza.in. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
