Israeli Ambassador Calls for Hamas to Be Designated as a Terrorist Organization in India

Israeli Ambassador Calls for Hamas to Be Designated as a Terrorist Organization in India

In a surprising turn of events, former Hamas chief Khaled Mashal virtually participated in a pro-Palestine rally in Kerala, India. Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gillon, expressed his astonishment and called for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization in India.

Naor Gilon | Photo source: outlookindia

Israeli envoy Naor Gillon post :

The Israeli envoy Naor Gillon posted from its official handle on X, "Unbelievable! Hamas terrorist Khaled Mashal is speaking from Qatar at an event in Kerala under the slogan 'Bulldozer Hindutva and uproot apartheid Zionism.'" He further called on India to add Hamas to its list of terrorist organizations, citing Mashal's call for participants to take to the streets, prepare for jihad, support Hamas financially, and promote the Palestinian narrative on social media.

Unbelievable😮! #HamasTerrorist Khaled Mashal speaks from Qatar in a #Kerala event under the slogan ‘Uproot bulldozer Hindutva & Apartheid Zionism’.

Mashal calls participants to:
1. Take the streets and show anger.
2. Prepare for jihad (on Israel).
3. Support Hamas… pic.twitter.com/RH7nyAkEbN

— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) October 29, 2023

The event was organized by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala, where Mashal addressed the gathering in Arabic. This virtual address drew mixed reactions from political figures in India.

VT Rema condemned the event :

VT Rema, the vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, condemned the event and labeled the participants as "a group of Islamic terrorists." He expressed shock at the protest and criticized the glorification of Hamas, known for carrying out attacks against Israeli citizens, within India's secular framework.

K. Surendran attack on the LDF govt :

K. Surendran, the BJP state president, launched a strong attack on the LDF government in Kerala, describing such events as unacceptable. He questioned the role of Kerala Police in allowing an event that he considered worrisome.

Meanwhile, as the Israel-Hamas conflict entered its 23rd day, India's stance in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) came under scrutiny. India abstained from voting on a resolution calling for an immediate end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the mobilization of relief and humanitarian aid. Notably, the resolution did not mention the terrorist group Hamas.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that India's emphasis at the UNGA was on unequivocally condemning the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7. While the initial resolution passed by Jordan did not explicitly condemn these attacks, an amendment was proposed to include this aspect.

In the end, India abstained from voting on Jordan's resolution but voted in favor of a Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis, which failed to pass in the UNGA due to the required two-thirds majority not being achieved.

India's recent vote in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict showcased the nation's consistent position on matters of terrorism and a resolute commitment to finding peaceful resolution to longstanding conflicts.

India's Explanation of Vote (EOV) :

India's Explanation of Vote (EOV) reiterated its comprehensive and holistic approach to the issue. It was clear that there could be no equivocation when it comes to terrorism. The EOV unequivocally stated, "The terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7 were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our sympathies are also with those taken hostage, and we call for their immediate and unconditional release."

Additionally, the EOV expressed India's deep concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with civilians, especially women and children, at risk of losing their lives. India stressed the importance of addressing this humanitarian crisis and welcomed the international community's efforts to de-escalate tensions and provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. India had also made contributions to these relief efforts.

India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yojana Patel, delivered a speech explaining India's vote, reaffirming India's enduring support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. This approach aims to establish a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state that can coexist with Israel within secure and recognized borders. Patel emphasized the need for de-escalation of tensions, a reduction in violence, and the creation of conditions conducive to the resumption of direct peace talks.

Furthermore, India had earlier condemned the "horrific terrorist attack on Israel" that occurred on October 7. India emphasized the importance of the international community standing together to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, leaving no room for evasive action on this critical issue.

The issue of Palestine also garnered attention, with India reiterating its support for direct negotiations to establish a two-state solution. India expressed concerns about civilian casualties and the dire humanitarian situation in the region, underscoring the need for strict adherence to international humanitarian law.

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