India Urged to Provide More Aid to Palestinians: JD(U) Leader K.C. Tyagi

In a significant development, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) spokesperson K.C. Tyagi has called upon the Indian government to provide more proactive support in relief and aid to the people of Gaza, who are facing mounting casualties in the ongoing conflict. This comes as India has recently released $2.5 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support the Palestinian cause.

As a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tyagi’s views carry significant weight. He emphasized the need for the Indian government to urge the United Nations to effectively implement its resolutions on the issue, including a ceasefire in the region and protection of schools and hospitals from Israeli military action.

Tyagi, who is also a member of the League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds, a global organization that advocates for Palestinian rights, demanded that Israel stop building illegal settlements on Palestinian lands and shift its capital from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. He also appreciated the actions of the South African government in filing a case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and contravening the Geneva Convention.

Interestingly, Tyagi has been associated with the Palestinian cause since 1978 and has met with Palestinian Liberation Organization chief Yasser Arafat. He believes that the spirit of anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism that drove the struggles of Vietnam and Palestine in the past is no longer prevalent today. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, who said in 1938 that “Palestine is for Palestinians,” Tyagi emphasized the need for India to support the Palestinian people.

While the JD(U) has not made any formal intervention in foreign policy, Tyagi’s sentiments are significant, given the party’s alliance with the BJP-led government. The Indian government’s release of aid to UNRWA is a reflection of its “larger engagement” with the Palestinian Authority, with an official source stating that India will make a total payment of $5 million annually for the UNRWA during 2024-25.

Tyagi’s comments are a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and diplomacy in resolving conflicts. As a responsible global citizen, India has a crucial role to play in promoting peace and stability in the region. By providing more aid and support to the people of Gaza, India can demonstrate its commitment to the Palestinian cause and contribute to a lasting solution to the conflict.

Historical Context:

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, with the British Mandate for Palestine (1920-1948) and the subsequent establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The conflict escalated in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of Palestinian nationalism and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The 1978 Camp David Accords, brokered by US President Jimmy Carter, aimed to establish a framework for peace between Israel and Egypt, but the Palestinian issue remained unresolved. The First Intifada (1987-1993) and the Second Intifada (2000-2005) saw widespread violence and protests, with the Israeli military responding with force. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, but the blockade and occupation continued. The 2014 Gaza War and the 2018 Gaza border protests have further exacerbated the situation.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi urges the Indian government to provide more aid and support to the people of Gaza, who are facing mounting casualties in the ongoing conflict. • India has recently released $2.5 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support the Palestinian cause. • Tyagi demands that Israel stop building illegal settlements on Palestinian lands and shift its capital from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. • He appreciates the actions of the South African government in filing a case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and contravening the Geneva Convention. • Tyagi has been associated with the Palestinian cause since 1978 and has met with Palestinian Liberation Organization chief Yasser Arafat. • The JD(U) has not made any formal intervention in foreign policy, but Tyagi’s sentiments are significant given the party’s alliance with the BJP-led government. • India’s release of aid to UNRWA is part of its “larger engagement” with the Palestinian Authority, with a total payment of $5 million annually for 2024-25. • Tyagi’s comments highlight the importance of international cooperation and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, with India playing a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region.