Several right-wing ideologues expressed ‘disappointment’ with the decision, whereas more liberal voices within the party welcomed the move.
While one group within the party was of the opinion that there was need for the new government to delink from the nation’s stated line on the Palestinian conflict and that India should have at best abstained from voting if it did not want to give an impression of a complete u-turn in diplomatic matters, the more liberal group was of the opinion that given the excessive use of force by Israel in Gaza, there was no way India could have changed its stance.
India, along with BRICS countries, voted in support of a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Wednesday to launch a probe into Israel’s offensive on Gaza. India joined Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa to vote for a Palestinian-drafted resolution on ‘Ensuring respect for international law in The Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem.’
In the 47-member council, 29 countries voted in support of the resolution, while 17 nations abstained. The US was the only nation to vote against the resolution, while the European countries abstained. Meanwhile, the bloodbath in the Gaza Strip continued unabated with Israel and Hamas refusing to back down. India had earlier asked Israel and Palestine to demonstrate political will and agree to a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table.
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has said global efforts to end the bloodshed in Gaza are progressing. Kerry and the UN chief Ban ki-Moon held talks in Jerusalem, where they appeared cautiously optimistic saying they have pooled their efforts in the hope of boosting the quest for a truce. Kerry said they have certainly taken some steps forward but more needs to be done.
However, on Thursday, the leader of the Islamist group Hamas said there can be no ceasefire to ease the conflict in Gaza without an end to Israel’s blockade.
While one group within the party was of the opinion that there was need for the new government to delink from the nation’s stated line on the Palestinian conflict and that India should have at best abstained from voting if it did not want to give an impression of a complete u-turn in diplomatic matters, the more liberal group was of the opinion that given the excessive use of force by Israel in Gaza, there was no way India could have changed its stance.
India, along with BRICS countries, voted in support of a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Wednesday to launch a probe into Israel’s offensive on Gaza. India joined Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa to vote for a Palestinian-drafted resolution on ‘Ensuring respect for international law in The Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem.’
In the 47-member council, 29 countries voted in support of the resolution, while 17 nations abstained. The US was the only nation to vote against the resolution, while the European countries abstained. Meanwhile, the bloodbath in the Gaza Strip continued unabated with Israel and Hamas refusing to back down. India had earlier asked Israel and Palestine to demonstrate political will and agree to a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table.
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has said global efforts to end the bloodshed in Gaza are progressing. Kerry and the UN chief Ban ki-Moon held talks in Jerusalem, where they appeared cautiously optimistic saying they have pooled their efforts in the hope of boosting the quest for a truce. Kerry said they have certainly taken some steps forward but more needs to be done.
However, on Thursday, the leader of the Islamist group Hamas said there can be no ceasefire to ease the conflict in Gaza without an end to Israel’s blockade.