“Israel could not have attacked the aid flotilla and justified it if it was not enjoying American patronage. The Zionist State can mend its ways, if we, at first, exert legitimate pressure on America and the United Nations to act immediately to save human rights and International Law,” said human rights activist, Swami Agnivesh while addressing a massive protest rally, against the recent Israeli attack on the humanitarian aid flotilla, organised by a number of religious and human rights organisation, near Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
Agnivesh further said that today most of the business houses in America are running in collaboration with Israel. Prominent journalists in American are Jews. He, however, said that it is time to condemn Israel for its deplorable activities, but America, who has been giving it patronage, should not be ignored as it is equally responsible.
Israel had launched an attack on a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip killing 19 peace and human rights activists and injuring dozens of them. Earlier, 18 months ago, the Jewish State’s army had bombarded indiscriminately at unarmed civilians and killed thousands of children, babies, disabled and the elderly people in the Gaza strip.
S.Q.R Ilyas, Editor Afkar-e-Milli, urged the government to sever defence and bilateral ties with the Zionist State in the wake of recent violence. He demanded the government to ban Israeli embassy in India and requested the people to boycott Israeli goods and evade buying commodities produced by the Zionist State.
Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor Milli Gazette, recalled that once Mahatma Gandhi said, “Palestine is for Palestinians as India is for Indians and France for French.” But it is an irony that today the native Palestinians are being meted out third degree torture in their own country. He said that the inhumane attack has awakened the world. India should also join the peace loving countries and exert pressure on Israel to follow International Law and remove blockade from Gaza.
Manzoor Alam, General Secretary, Milli Council, demanded the government to ban Israeli embassy in India and exert pressure on America and United Nations to play their part to bring peace and communal harmony in the world.
Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, also demanded the government to exert pressure on the Zionist State. The community will continue their struggle till Gazans are given their rights.
Suhail K.K, President Students Islamic Organisation of India, wondered why the world does not term the gruesome Israeli attack on humanitarian aid flotilla, a ‘terrorist attack’. He asked if it was not a terror attack then what is a terror attack. He lamented that such planned conspiracy of mass murder, poor Gazans have been confined in an open jail without essential amenities.
Tasleem Rahmani of Muslim Political Council lamented at the deplorable condition of poor Gazans, who have been compelled to survive in an open jail without proper food, water, medicines and other essential commodities. He regretted that India, which claims to believe in non-violence, is silent instead of taking immediate action. He said this silence encourages the culprit.
Syed Iqbal, representative of Lok Janshakti Party, recalled the Nehru-Gandhian period which always stood by Palestine and Middle East. But the UPA government seems to have changed its policy as it fears to even condemn the atrocities meted out to the innocents. He said that the community will continue the struggle till the Palestinians are given their rights.
Mohammad Adeeb, Member of Parliament, bothered that only staging protest and submitting memorandum can hardly fulfil our legitimate demand. Pressure should be exerted on the government to shun all ties with Israel. He feared that the Zionist State could be behind the upsurge in violence and terrorist activities in our country.
“It is an irony that these so-called protectors of human rights (USA and Israel) never hesitate to use bombs and bullets in their favour,” said Atul Kumar Anjan. He further said that Indian government has been strengthening Israel and its economy by signing bilateral ties and free trade agreement and helping the terrorist state. This is surely against our constitution.
Biju Niak said that the root of Israeli violence lies in America. The Zionist State is dancing on the tunes of United States. Niak regretted that for the last few decades, bilateral ties between India and Middle East seem to have been weakened as India is seen more inclined to Israel, which has never been a favourable partner.
After the agitation, a memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Dr. Manhoman Singh demanding to exert legitimate pressure on America and United Nations to coerce Israel and remove blockade from Gaza.
The demonstration was jointly organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jamiat-ul-Ulema Hind, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, All India Milli Council, Merkazi Jamiatul Hadith, Indian Islahi Movement, Muslim Political Council of India, Students Islamic Organisation of India, Majlis-e-Fikr-o-Amal, etc.