India’s main federal opposition Congress Party has slammed western countires for their “double standards” in their responses to the Ukraine conflict and the unfolding humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
“It is shocking that many influential countries, that choose to speak the language of human rights and justice when convenient, are lending their unstinting support to Israel’s actions. The double standards being applied in Ukraine and in Gaza is apparent,” remarked a statement from Congress parliamentarian Jairam Ramesh, the general secretary in-charge of communications.
The collective west imposed coordinated set of sanctions against Russia in the immediate aftermath of the its special military operation last February. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies have also supported Ukraine with billions in dollars of military aid, which continues till date.
On the other hand, the US has consistently backed Israel’s "right to defend itself" and also voted against a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The Congress party, which has been in power in India for most part of its post-Independence period, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“The world cannot watch in silence as a second Nakba unfolds and the ethnic cleansing and dispossession of the Palestinians, as was done in 1948, is carried out once again with impunity,” Ramesh underscored.
The opposition party urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to “pressurise” the US, European Union (EU) and Israel in a bid to stop the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Congress Accuses Israel of 'Attacks on Civilians' in Gaza
The main opposition party accused Israel’s military retaliation to the “condemnable” attack by Hamas as “genocidal”.
“The targeting of civilians, women and children, hospitals and shelters violate the values of humanity and every international norm of war,” the Congress party stated, two days after Israel Defence Forces (IDF) raided the al-Shifa hospital as it targets Hamas’ tunnels in the Palestinian enclave.
A previous statement by the Congress party released last month didn’t condemn the Hamas attack, which Prime Minister Modi has described as a “terrorism”.
The opposition statement expressed concerns over growing civilian death toll as well as the killing of children in IDF strikes.
“All this while statements of genocidal intent from the top Israeli leadership are being made. (Israeli) PM (Benjamin) Netanyahu has himself called for turning parts of Gaza to rubble and has called the wanton killing of men, women and children collateral damage,” the statement noted with concern.