Priyanka Gandhi: India's only voice against Israeli attack on Gaza and Netanyahu

The way Priyanka Gandhi, the general secretary of the opposition Congress in India, has criticized the Israeli government and the Israeli Prime Minister has caught the attention of observers in India.

He criticized Israel at a time when India speaking against Israel or showing any kind against it is like challenging the Indian government as India has made its stand clear on the ongoing war in Gaza and has refrained from participating in the voting on the resolution in favor of the ceasefire in the UNITED NATIONS General Assembly. What was it, too.

Priyanka Gandhi's "shock" and "shame" came under sharp criticism from former BJP minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi.

But after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's address to the US Congress last Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi has once again taken a strong stand against Israel's attack in Gaza, calling the ongoing war there "barbaric" and calling on all countries of the world to condemn the Israeli government's "genocidal acts" and force them to stop.

Priyanka Gandhi, who has been the general secretary of the Congress party for a long time, is now entering electoral politics from Kerala. And his brother and opposition leader is set to contest from the Wayanad seat vacated by Rahul Gandhi.

What did Priyanka say?

"It's no longer enough for civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets and the thousands of innocent children who are falling victim to the horrific genocide in Gaza day by day," he wrote on his social media handle X. ‘

"It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking person, including all Israelis who do not believe in hate and violence, and every government in the world must condemn and force the Israeli government to stop." Their (Israeli government's) actions are unacceptable in a world that claims civilization and morality. ‘

Priyanka Gandhi quoted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement and wrote, "He calls it a 'clash between barbarism and civilization'. They are absolutely right, except that they and their government are barbaric and their barbarism has the unbridled support of most countries of the Western world. (And) it's really a shame to see that. ‘

'Very brave' and 'extremely valuable'

Social activist and writer Kavita Krishnan told the BBC that Priyanka Gandhi's statement was "very brave" and "highly valued" and "commendable".

He said that since the 1990s, all the governments, be it the Congress or the BJP, have been talking verbally about Palestine, but their relations have been with Israel, even the communist governments of West Bengal have been dealing with Israel.

"But the current government is so pro-Israel that we could not even get permission to protest against the current war," he said. ‘

"People around the world are speaking in favor of a ceasefire, but India's political circle is speaking very cautiously. ‘

He said that apart from Asaduddin Owaisi, no important leader of any national political party spoke in such a way. It is a big thing for Priyanka to say such a thing directly to Netanyahu. It's very brave. ‘

Kavita Krishnan said, "In today's environment, it is political bravery to criticize Netanyahu in this way and Priyanka has associated herself with all the movements going on in this regard all over the world. Such a statement by him will strengthen the fight to save democracy in India. ‘

Priyanka Gandhi's earlier statement in October had taken a strong stand by the ruling party and criticized her.

Mohammad Sohrab, a professor at Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University, which tracks Middle East affairs and Indian politics over Priyanka Gandhi's continued criticism of Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, says he welcomes the voice of sanity.

"This is the first time an Indian leader has made such a statement since the Israeli offensive on Gaza. The government is clearly with Israel, but the second circle is also silent on it or it is also in favor of Israel, but for the first time a third voice has come out in public. ‘

"The government continues to support the Israeli government's actions in every way," he added. In such a situation, Priyanka Gandhi should start by clarifying the government's position. It is important to clarify what is the internal aspect of the position taken by the government and what it has gained internationally and where India stands on this issue. It is perhaps the only parliament in the world where Israel's deadly actions on Gaza are not even mentioned. ‘

Professor Sohrab added, "A small section of India is feeling how we are being cut off globally and it is the result of the same concern that is hurting us and we are becoming isolated from the international community." ‘

He said such statements are an expression of the truth and may serve to restore India's lost reputation.

On social media, while a section is criticizing Priyanka Gandhi for criticizing Israel in this regard, some people are raising their voice in her voice.

"It takes a lot of courage and humanity to talk about Palestine in India and understand the pain of Palestinians in the planned genocide by Israel," a user named Razia Masood wrote while posting a video clip of an event held at IIT Madras and a photo of a postage stamp issued in support of Palestine. All of us should represent our country and keep the knowledge of justice high. Because India has always supported it in the United Nations. ‘

A user named C.G. Sundarakshan wrote on X, "I am not a member of the Indian National Congress or associated with it. But I fully support Priyanka Gandhi's statement on Israel's war on Gaza. The current Indian government is pro-Israel. But less than 50% of those who are sensible in India will be pro-Israel. ‘

A user named Alauddin wrote, "Who cares about the STAND of the RSS? What Priyanka Gandhi said is logical and correct. She supports India's old policy towards the Palestinians. Israel killed thousands of innocent Palestinians, most of them women and children, with explosives, rockets, fighter jets and weapons of destruction supplied by the United States.

Is Priyanka Gandhi's entry into electoral politics behind it? In response to this question, Kavita Krishnan said that to some extent it can happen, but still, it is very brave.