INDIA VOTES FOR PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD

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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context

India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on the peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and the implementation of the two-state solution.

Key Highlights of the UNGA Resolution

New York Declaration: Adopted at a high-level conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, it calls for collective action to end the Gaza war and implement the two-state solution for a just and lasting Israeli-Palestinian settlement.

Two-State Solution: Advocates peaceful coexistence of a sovereign, viable Palestinian State alongside Israel within secure and recognized borders.

Calls on Israel: Urges Israeli leadership to:

• Publicly commit to the two-state solution.
• End violence, incitement, settlement activities, land grabs, and annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
• Renounce settlers’ violence and annexation policies.

Gaza and West Bank: Emphasizes Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian State, unified with the West Bank, with no occupation, siege, or forced displacement.

Global Support: 142 nations, including India, voted in favour; Argentina, Hungary, Israel, and the US were among the 10 voting against.

Why is the Resolution Significant?

Global Consensus: The 142 votes reflect a near-universal call for peace and Palestinian self-determination, countering unilateral actions.

Regional Stability: The resolution addresses the Gaza war’s human toll and its threat to regional and international peace, urging immediate cessation of hostilities.

Reaffirmation of Rights: Supports the Palestinian right to self-determination, aligning with international law and UN principles.

Countering Escalation: Condemns settlement expansion and violence, aiming to prevent further conflict deepening in the Middle East.

India’s Stand on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Historical Commitment

India was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1974 and the State of Palestine in 1988.

Consistently votes in favour of pro-Palestinian UN resolutions.

Supports Palestine’s membership in international bodies (e.g., UNESCO, UNGA observer status in 2012).

Two-State Advocacy: India supports a sovereign Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders, alongside Israel.

High-Level Engagement

Prime Minister Modi’s 2018 visit to Palestine (first by an Indian PM).

Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s 2015 visit (first by an Indian President).

Development Assistance: Provided $141 million in aid to Palestine, also provided $39 million of budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority.

Balanced Diplomacy: Maintains a strategic partnership with Israel in defence, agriculture, and innovation while upholding principled support for Palestine.

UN Position: Emphasizes:

• Rejection of violence and terrorism by both sides.
• Urgent need for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• Diplomatic negotiations for a peaceful settlement.

Source: THE HINDU