Israel-Hamas war

What Atal Bihari Vajpayee Said On Israel-Palestine Conflict

Amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, a video of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the previous Indian Prime Minister, endorsing the Palestinian Cause was rediscovered online.
Sputnik
Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who led the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), supported Palestine and asked Israel to "vacate the land" almost 46 years ago.
Amid the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, a video of this incident has resurfaced.
The Benjamin Netanyahu administration retaliated against Hamas militants who launched a complex, unexpected attack against Israel by ordering the complete closure and seizure of Gaza. The Israeli defence minister has instructed to cease Gaza's access to gas, food, water, and electricity.

Over one million Palestinians had to leave their homes in the past ten days, and the Gaza Strip was left with significant parts turned to rubble, with more than 3000 dead.

In a 1977 video from Prasar Bharati (India's state-owned Public Broadcaster) the late Prime Minister Vajpayee can be heard declaring, "Israel will have to vacate the land occupied by the Arabs."

In the video, Atal Bihari Vajpayee spoke in Hindi and said, "People are saying that the Janata Party has become the government. They won't support the Arabs but will support Israel. Morarji Bhai clarified this situation. To clear up the confusion, I want to stress the importance of evaluating each party based on its strengths and weaknesses. The situation in the Middle East is clear. Israel needs to vacate the land it took from the Arabs."

The Former Indian Prime Minister vehemently reiterated “We do not accept it for ourselves if the aggressor enjoys the aftermath of the attack. The rules that apply to us will also apply to others. The land of the Arabs should be vacated, and the proper rights of the Palestinians should be respected.
Vajpayee stressed that "The existence of Israel has been recognised by Soviet Russia and America, and we have also accepted it" in reference to the 1950 decision to recognise Israel as a state.
“We need to work towards a situation in the Middle East where aggression is eliminated, becoming the foundation for lasting peace,” Vajpayee said.
Arindam Bagchi, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, stated on Thursday that India continues to support the creation of a "sovereign, independent, and viable" State of Palestine.

“Our policy has been longstanding and consistent. India always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel. I think that position remains the same,” he said.

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