Sonia Gandhi Slams Modi Government’s Silence on Gaza Crisis, Urges India to Raise Its Voice

National News: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has targeted PM Narendra Modi's silence on the Gaza crisis. She said that the government is a mute spectator and this is the height of moral cowardice. She also attacked the international community and said that as human beings, it is the responsibility of all of us to accept that the reaction and revenge of the Israeli government on the people of Gaza is not only violent, but it is also completely criminal. In an article written to a newspaper, Sonia Gandhi said, “No one can justify the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and the brutal treatment of innocent men, women and children or the continued hostage-taking of the Israeli people thereafter.

This should be condemned continuously and unconditionally. At the same time, as a human being, it is also our responsibility to accept that the reaction of the Israeli government to the people of Gaza is not only extremely violent, but it is also completely criminal. She further wrote that in the last two years, more than 55 thousand Palestinian civilians have been killed, including 17 thousand children alone.

A Stain on India’s Conscience

Referring to the devastation caused by Israeli attacks in Gaza, Sonia said, "Most of the residential buildings in Gaza were deliberately targeted. And they were completely razed to the ground through continuous aerial bombardment. Hospitals are also among the targets. The social structure of Gaza has completely collapsed." She further writes that the destructive incidents since October 2023 have been extremely disturbing. The situation there has become even more heartbreaking in recent months. Now humanitarian aid has also been weaponized as part of a brutal strategy.

Betrayal of Constitutional Core Values

Sonia Gandhi wrote, Israeli Defence Forces have imposed a military blockade on Gaza, which has disrupted the supply of medicines, food and fuel there. The indiscriminate destruction of the infrastructure and the massacre of the common people have given rise to a man-made tragedy. This blockade has made it even more dangerous. The strategy of forcing people to die of hunger is a complete crime against humanity. Amidst this devastation, Israel has either completely rejected or stopped humanitarian aid coming from the United Nations as well as many other global organizations.

Congress Era’s Historic Palestine Stand

“The Security Council has also failed to hold the Israeli government responsible for the attacks on civilians and the large-scale destruction of its infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.” “The overt and covert support from the US has not only encouraged Israel to carry out these actions, but has also made them possible.” She further writes that when international law and international institutions have become almost inactive, the fight to protect the interests of the people of Gaza has now fallen on other countries. South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice and now Brazil has also come forward.

Indira Gandhi’s Bold Recognition Move

He further said, “France has decided to recognize Palestine as a country, while countries like Britain and Canada have banned Israeli leaders who promote aggression in the Gaza region. The voices of protest are getting louder in Israel itself. A former PM of that country has accepted the reality of Israeli war crimes in Gaza. While on one hand global consciousness is emerging across the world towards this humanitarian crisis, it is a matter of national shame for us that India is remaining a mute spectator to this insult to humanity.”
“India's departure from its values is a blot on the national conscience. It is also a disregard for our historical contribution and a cowardly betrayal of our constitutional values.”

Attack on Modi’s Silent Stance

Referring to the Congress rule, he said, "India has always been a supporter of the two-nation solution and a just peace between Israel and Palestine. In 1974, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, India became the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1988, India was among the first countries to officially recognize Palestine."

India’s Global Leadership Questioned

Targeting PM Modi's silence, Sonia Gandhi said, "Prime Minister Modi's shameful silence on the continuous atrocities being committed by Israel on the people of Gaza is extremely disappointing. This is the height of moral cowardice. Now the time has come for him to raise his voice in clear and bold words on behalf of the legacy that India has always represented. The Global South is once again waiting for India's leadership on this issue.