Policy on Palestine unchanged: Sushma

Emphasising that India’s policy on the Palestine issue remains unchanged, the government on Monday refused to take sides over the Gaza conflict as it said Israel and Palestine should have peace talks and forestalled a resolution in Rajya Sabha which was demanded by the opposition.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said the House should not be divided but send out a joint message that wherever there is violence, it is condemnable and both Israel and Palestine should accept Egypt’s offer of peace talks. She was replying to a short-duration debate on Gaza situation during which opposition, including TMC members, condemned the violence in Gaza, pressed for adoption of a resolution, demanded suspension of all military purchases from Israel and wanted India to raise the issue at the UN.

Rejecting opposition demand for a resolution, deputy chairman PJ Kurien said the Rule 176 under which the discussion took place does not provide for a resolution or motion of any kind. He added because of lack of a resolution or consensus, he could do nothing more.