Israel conducting ‘genocidal war’ on Gaza, says Palestinian Ambassador

Abdulla M. Abu Shawesh, Palestinian Ambassador to India, has alleged that Israel is conducting a “genocidal war” on Gaza.

He was addressing an event organised by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) at the Muthalakkulam Ground here on Thursday evening (September 2) to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Referring to the Hamas attack on Israel, Mr. Shawesh pointed out that what had happened on October 7, 2023, did not come from a vacuum, but was linked to other events in history that unfolded years before. “…Through the last two years, my people had been enduring not just a war, but a genocidal war. This is not our words, but those of the United Nations. This is the Zionist war, this is the Israeli NGOs’ war,” he said.

Mr. Shawesh said that over 66,000 Palestinians had so far been killed in Gaza. “It is not known if 12,000 to 15,000 people are under the rubble or had been dismembered by the explosive materials. As per official reports, 1,50,000 tonnes of explosive materials had been used by Israel there. This means 70 kg of explosive material for each citizen of Gaza. Around 252 Palestinian journalists had been intentionally targeted and killed. The legs of around 5,000 to 6,000 children had been amputated. Around 40,000 children have become orphans,” he said.

Mr. Shawesh said that the gathering in Kozhikode carried a special meaning as it coincided with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who used non-violence and justice as the strongest weapons against oppression. “He once said that Palestine belonged to the Arabs, the Palestinians, in the same sense that England belonged to the English or France to the French. These timeless words remind us that our struggle is deeply rooted in the universal principle of justice and self-determination,” he said.

Mr. Shawesh said that the people in Gaza were enduring one of the darkest chapters in history. “Yet, their resilience continues because they draw strength from the solidarity of people across the world, especially from the people of India, in particular those from Kerala. By standing with Palestine on Gandhi’s birth anniversary, you have proved that justice is not a moral choice but a universal value that transcends borders. Your voice echoes across the sea, reaching Gaza, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Haifa, and the West Bank, reminding the Palestinians that they are not alone. And that truth and justice will prevail ultimately,” Mr. Shawesh said. He urged the people to use their laptops and smartphones to post videos and posters about what was happening in Gaza to continue their support.

M.V. Govindan, State secretary, CPI(M), while opening the event, alleged that the BJP-led Union government had completely changed the country’s approach towards Palestine by keeping its mouth shut on the Gaza situation. The Centre had also extended support to Israel and the United States, which was deplorable, he added. LDF leaders such as M.V. Shreyams Kumar of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and P. Sandosh Kumar of the CPI, among others, were present.