Few days ago I wrote about the tough stand taken by MEA Sushma Swaraj on the resolution being forced by the opposition in the Rajya Sabha over Israel-Gaza conflict. She had rejected the proposal saying there is no change in policy towards Palestine and that Bharat will not take side of any country in the ongoing conflict. She also urged the house to send a strong message that violence in any form is condemnable.
Within two days, Bharat voted against Israel in the a resolution moved by Pakistan, Egypt & Palestine in the UNHRC. The resolution which was adopted by a vote of 29 States in favour, 1 against and 17 abstentions, strongly condemns the failure of Israel, as the occupying Power, to end its prolonged occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and condemns in the strongest terms of the gross violations of international human rights arising from the Israeli military operations carried out since June 2014.
BRICS nations voted in favour of the resolution whereas USA lone country rejected the resolution. Among the 17 countries which abstained were also states from EU & Africa.
This sudden change of minds did create a furore in social media where the pro-BJP supporters expressed their disappointment of voting against an ally who always supports our cause when it comes to Kashmir. (Israel had rejected to supply arms to Pakistan.)In addition, a jawaan was killed recently in Akhnoor district of Kashmir when the Indian Army foiled another infiltration bid across the LOC during the ceasefire violation by Pakistan.
The Israeli PM has however rejected the resolution terming the investigation as a foregone conclusion by a Kangaroo court. It further said that the UNHRC calls for an investigation of Israel rather than investigating Hamas, which is committing a double war crime by firing rockets at Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. So what can be the reasons which forced the government to change it's stand and vote in support of Palestine, after giving the impression that they are in a fix on the issue.
This is, however, not the first time Bharat has voted against Israel. It has been the policy since the time PV Narsimharao. In the recent past we had voted against Israel in 2011 in the UN resolution for the military offensive in Gaza in 2008, even when the West was against it. So this stand should not come as a surprise as we are voting against the violence and expressing our concern, not against the state.
The current situation which is escalating in Iraq, as the clout of ISIS increasing by the day, has left the lives of residing Indian nationals on knives edge. Government is trying by all means of diplomatic channels to bring back our citzens from the violence effected Iraq. So by going against the Arab nations would have serious repercussions on this process.
Also with the current state of our economy, Bharat is heavily dependable on West Asia, mainly Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia for supply of crude oil & gas. Hence the government can't afford to displease them which can have huge impact on the import bill widening the CAD.
With Jammu & Kashmir going to polls in the later part of the year, Bharat voting against Gaza will have led the opposition and media to brand BJP taking a communal stand which can have negative impact on the party's prospects in the valley.
Though these reasons might act as sound defense for the change in stand, all that the government needed to show is decisiveness in its approach, which is why Manmohan led UPA was rejected by the people for a Modi led NDA. We don't need to vote in a particular manner just because IBSA or BRICS nation states are voting so. We should always stand by what is in the larger interest of the country and send out a message to the world that Bharat has nerve to speak on matter of truth.
SR.
Within two days, Bharat voted against Israel in the a resolution moved by Pakistan, Egypt & Palestine in the UNHRC. The resolution which was adopted by a vote of 29 States in favour, 1 against and 17 abstentions, strongly condemns the failure of Israel, as the occupying Power, to end its prolonged occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and condemns in the strongest terms of the gross violations of international human rights arising from the Israeli military operations carried out since June 2014.
BRICS nations voted in favour of the resolution whereas USA lone country rejected the resolution. Among the 17 countries which abstained were also states from EU & Africa.
This sudden change of minds did create a furore in social media where the pro-BJP supporters expressed their disappointment of voting against an ally who always supports our cause when it comes to Kashmir. (Israel had rejected to supply arms to Pakistan.)In addition, a jawaan was killed recently in Akhnoor district of Kashmir when the Indian Army foiled another infiltration bid across the LOC during the ceasefire violation by Pakistan.
The Israeli PM has however rejected the resolution terming the investigation as a foregone conclusion by a Kangaroo court. It further said that the UNHRC calls for an investigation of Israel rather than investigating Hamas, which is committing a double war crime by firing rockets at Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. So what can be the reasons which forced the government to change it's stand and vote in support of Palestine, after giving the impression that they are in a fix on the issue.
The current situation which is escalating in Iraq, as the clout of ISIS increasing by the day, has left the lives of residing Indian nationals on knives edge. Government is trying by all means of diplomatic channels to bring back our citzens from the violence effected Iraq. So by going against the Arab nations would have serious repercussions on this process.
Also with the current state of our economy, Bharat is heavily dependable on West Asia, mainly Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia for supply of crude oil & gas. Hence the government can't afford to displease them which can have huge impact on the import bill widening the CAD.
With Jammu & Kashmir going to polls in the later part of the year, Bharat voting against Gaza will have led the opposition and media to brand BJP taking a communal stand which can have negative impact on the party's prospects in the valley.
Though these reasons might act as sound defense for the change in stand, all that the government needed to show is decisiveness in its approach, which is why Manmohan led UPA was rejected by the people for a Modi led NDA. We don't need to vote in a particular manner just because IBSA or BRICS nation states are voting so. We should always stand by what is in the larger interest of the country and send out a message to the world that Bharat has nerve to speak on matter of truth.
SR.
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