Condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a ‘genocide’, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other left-wing organizations in India held a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury asserted that the ongoing conflict is not a war but a targeted attack on unarmed civilians, which is unacceptable. He further criticized the BJP-led government for supporting Israel and urged the international community to pressure Israel into halting its offensive.
The protest was joined by Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Mayor of Delhi and a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Representatives from various organizations, including Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, SFI, DYFI, AIDSO, KYS, AISA, CPI(ML-New Democracy), CITU, Daha, and Collective, voiced their support for Palestine and demanded an end to the violence.
India has consistently called for de-escalation and the resumption of direct peace negotiations towards a two-state solution to the Palestine issue. However, the recent offensive has sparked concerns about India’s foreign policy stance, with critics accusing the government of abandoning its traditional support for the Palestinian cause.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has reported that over 10 lakh Palestinians have fled their homes in Rafah due to the intense fighting, seeking refuge in makeshift tent camps and war-ravaged areas where they face severe shortages of shelter, food, water, and other essential supplies.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 36,000 Palestinians, according to official figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel has faced severe condemnation for strikes on Rafah that resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, including displaced people living in tents that were engulfed by fire. Israel has expressed regret for the incident, attributing it to a ‘tragic mishap’.
