Palestinian Ambassador to attend LDF’s solidarity event in Kerala’s Kozhikode on October 2

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is organising an event in Kozhikode, Kerala, on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti Day, to express solidarity with the people of Palestine.

LDF district leaders told the media on Monday (September 29, 2025) that Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, would attend the event to be held at the Muthalakkulam Ground in Kozhikode city.

CPI(M) Kerala State secretary M.V. Govindan would open the solidarity meet in which P. Sandosh Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Minister for Forest and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran of the Nationalist Congress Party, and M.V. Shreyams Kumar of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, among others, would speak.

M. Mehboob, CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary, claimed that the ongoing military assault on Gaza by Israel was equal to a “genocide”. He alleged that even after a large majority of the members of the United Nations sought steps to recognise the sovereignty of Palestine and its declaration as an independent nation, both Israel and the United States were ignoring the demand.

Mr. Mehboob said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was averse to stopping the war because he had the full support of the U.S.

Meanwhile, the LDF leaders dismissed the allegation that Palestine solidarity meet was being planned to balance communal equations in the State against the backdrop of the recently held Global Ayyappa Sangamam of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Mr. Mehboob and P. Gavas, CPI Kozhikode district secretary, said that the communist parties had been taking a clear stand on international issues for long. This was not the first time that an event to express solidarity with Palestine was being organised. It has nothing to do with the Ayyappa Sangamam.

Mr. Mehboob said that the United Democratic Front was probably worried about the support garnered by the event at Pampa, which was against “saffronisation politics”.

Asked if such events would alienate the minorities, he replied in the negative.