Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Congress Working Committee Monday reiterated its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity while also calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on all outstanding issues. Their statement stirred up a new row between the BJP and the opposition parties with the former alleging that the Congress supported terror organisations.
In a resolution passed at its four-hour meeting, the Congress' top decision-making body said the CWC expresses its dismay and anguish on the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. "The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect," the resolution said, urging for an immediate ceasefire and for negotiations to begin on all outstanding matters, including the imperative issues that have led to the present conflict.
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The assertions in the resolution came a day after the Congress condemned the attacks on the people of Israel, saying violence of any type never provides any solution and it must stop. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had on Sunday said his party has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine must be fulfilled through dialogue while ensuring the national security interests of the Israelis.
"The Indian National Congress condemns the brutal attacks on the people of Israel," he said on X. Ramesh also said his party "has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a life of self-respect, equality and dignity must be fulfilled only through a process of dialogue and negotiations while ensuring the legitimate national security interests of the Israeli people".
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The BJP on the other hand accused the Congress of supporting terror organisations. In a post on X, Union minister Pralhad Joshi asked how will Congress protect the nation and its citizens when it is "openly standing with violence". "Congress at it again! Supporting terror organisations and terrorism while innocent civilians lose their lives to bullets," he said. "With this stand, the leading party of I.N.D.I Alliance has exposed itself to the nation. How will the party protect its nation and citizens when it is openly standing with violence," Joshi added.
The BJP also compared the situation in Israel with the terrorist attacks India had faced during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime on their social media pages. “What Israel is facing today, India suffered between 2004-14. Never forgive, never forget…,” the party said.
