They utilised it to the fullest

24/07/2014

The Union Government has done well to scuttle the Opposition's demand in the Rajya Sabha for a resolution against Israel over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Members had the occasion during the course of a discussion on the issue to express their opinion, and they utilised it to the fullest. Some of them blamed Israel for the violence, while others justified its action. A resolution would have meant taking an official position either way on the matter, which New Delhi understandably did not want to, because it enjoys sound relations with both Palestine and Israel. But Opposition members, who seemed more interested in pushing the Government into a corner than in expressing bipartisan concern over the violence, walked out in protest when the presiding officer of the Upper House rejected their demand for a resolution. The Congress-led Opposition knew well that since the discussion had been held under Rule 176, there was no provision for the adoption of a resolution by the House. Yet it wanted to score a political point, even if it meant over-turning the country's stated position with regard to the Palestine-Israel confrontation — which is that New Delhi stands for an end to violence and an early reconciliation of the differences that have marred Israel-Palestine relations for decades. Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj struck the right note when she said that both Israel and Palestine should accept Egypt's offer of talks. Indeed, this appeal should have reflected the sense of the House. In fact, Israel had accepted Egypt's call for a ceasefire and suspended attacks on Gaza, but Hamas refused to play ball, and the ceasefire ended in less than six hours, with the Israeli forces stepping up aggression and entering Gaza. What the Opposition does not want to accept — and this was evident in the speeches of its members during the discussion in the Rajya Sabha — is that the present confrontation is not so much between Israel and Palestine, but between Israel and terrorist outfit Hamas, although it is true that the roots of the conflict lie in the political slugfest that the Israelis and the Palestinians have been historically engaged in, with neither side willing to give in much.
Although it is inconceivable that any responsible political leader of the country would want to be seen as taking Hamas's side, a few members of the Opposition shockingly glossed over the terror organisation's activities. Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury went to the ridiculous extent of remarking that “a distinction should be made between Hamas and other terrorists.” He believes that Hamas, designated not just by Israel but globally too as a terror outfit, must be treated differently because it rules Gaza. So does the ISIS in parts of Iraq. Should India recognise that terror organisation? Mr Yechury added that Israel was the real “terrorist” since it had ‘forcibly occupied' Palestinian territory. Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress suspected a change in the Government's foreign policy on the matter and wondered why the Centre had taken so long to decide on discussing the matter. But he knows there is no foreign policy shift since New Delhi, as Ms Swaraj reiterated, continues to “support the Palestinian cause”. But, like Mr Yechury, he too was tempted to play petty politics, though in a more understated manner. In any case, the humanitarian crisis he referred to has been addressed by the Government, with Ms Swaraj categorically saying that deaths of innocent civilians on either side are unfortunate and must be avoided.

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