All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has added his voice to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, accusing Israel of occupying Palestinian land for the past 80 years. Owaisi’s statement comes in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces, which has tragically led to the loss of nearly 5,600 lives.
Speaking to reporters while addressing the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Owaisi stated, “The reality is that for the past 80 years, Israel has occupied the Palestinian land.” This assertion highlights the deeply entrenched and complex nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict, a decades-old issue that continues to spark violence and human suffering.
The recent escalation of violence occurred when Palestine’s Hamas militant forces entered Israeli territory on October 7 using various means, including motor gliders, boats, and trucks. This action triggered one of the most devastating conflicts between Israel and Gaza, with both sides suffering significant losses.
In response, Israel launched a series of heavy airstrikes and conducted ground invasions in Gaza, marking the 14th day of a harrowing conflict. The situation has also been aggravated by Israel’s decision to cut off food, electricity, and water supplies to the Gaza Strip. However, international aid deliveries began to move into Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah border on Saturday, offering some hope to those affected by the crisis.
Asaduddin Owaisi drew upon Mahatma Gandhi’s words to emphasize his stance on the matter, quoting, “I would like to tell the people of our nation that Mahatma Gandhi had said that Palestine is the land of Arabs just like England is the land of the English and France is the land of the French.” Owaisi underscored that India has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause and advocated for the establishment of an independent Palestinian nation.
Owaisi’s comments reflect his concerns over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. He pointed out the plight of the Gazan population, stating, “The poor people of Gaza, with a population of 21 lakh, 10 lakh have been rendered homeless…The world is silent…For 70 years Israel has been an occupier…You cannot see the occupation, you cannot see the atrocities…”
In a show of historical context, Owaisi shared an old video of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in which Vajpayee voiced his support for the Palestinian cause. Owaisi highlighted, “A late BJP leader once said about Palestine that land worth billions has been acquired. We had released a post stamp for solidarity with Palestine. This shifted when Congress came into power.”
As the Israel-Palestine conflict continues to unfold, voices from around the world, including those of political leaders, emphasize the need for attention and action to address the complex and long-standing issues at the heart of this enduring conflict.
Sources By Agencies