Israel-Palestine conflict - An Indian perspective

Indian social media is once again buzzing with polarizing opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. From a geopolitical perspective, India does not have a direct stake in this 'race.' Therefore, the Indian state should adopt a purely transactional approach in dealing with both parties while officially taking a Gandhian stance, emphasizing peace and diplomacy, focusing on human rights issues, and condemning terrorism. This is precisely what the government is doing.

The Indian right-wing (RW) and left-wing (LW) factions are in opposite camps regarding which side they support. The RW firmly supports Israel, largely due to perceiving Islamist aggression in the actions of Hamas. Given India's history of suffering from Islamist fundamentalism, many in the RW relate to and support Israel. Additionally, Israel has been a close strategic partner to India, notably assisting during the 1999 Kargil War and supporting India on the Kashmir issue.

Conversely, the LW supports Palestine, employing rhetoric of decolonization and portraying Palestinians as victims of settler colonization by the Jews of Israel. This support is framed within a broader context of anti-colonialism and solidarity with oppressed peoples.

Historical Context of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Jews were the original inhabitants of the land currently known as Israel and Palestine. Throughout history, they faced aggression from multiple groups, forcing them to leave the land, although the consciousness of a homeland remained alive. The Arab population came to inhabit the present-day disputed territories of Israel and Gaza following the expansion of Islam in the region. A sparse Jewish population continued to live in the area, facing Islamic oppression and discrimination over the centuries.

In the early 20th century, the Zionist movement began advocating for a Jewish homeland. Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern the region, then known as British Mandate Palestine. The term "Palestine" was used by the British, reflecting their fascination with the Roman Empire, which had used the name to refer to the region. Importantly, there was no significant national consciousness of Palestine before this period. The area had been ruled under various Islamic dynasties, but no distinct national identity had emerged.

During the British mandate, Jewish migration from Europe to the territory was facilitated, leading to increased tensions and conflicts between Jews and Arabs. By 1948, after World War II, the state of Israel was established. This immediately triggered the Arab-Israeli War, which Israel won, leading to the displacement of a large number of Palestinians.

Subsequent decades saw multiple wars and uprisings, including the Suez Crisis (1956), the Six-Day War (1967), and the Yom Kippur War (1973). Each conflict reshaped the boundaries and the political landscape of the region. The Six-Day War was particularly significant as Israel captured the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.

The late 20th and early 21st centuries have been marked by continued violence and failed peace attempts. The Oslo Accords (1993) and Camp David Summit (2000) were significant efforts to achieve peace, but both ultimately failed to resolve the conflict. The Second Intifada (2000-2005) further deepened the divide, leading to widespread violence and the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier.

In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, evacuating all Israeli settlements and military presence, and handed over governance to the Palestinians. Despite this, violence continued as militant groups like Hamas gained control of Gaza, leading to ongoing conflicts and periodic escalations between Israel and Gaza.

The Present

The situation remained volatile into the 2010s, with periodic escalations in Gaza and ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank. In 2020, the Trump administration's "Peace to Prosperity" plan was rejected by the Palestinians, who saw it as heavily biased towards Israel. The current decade has seen increased tensions, with the latest escalation being caused by Hamas's brutal targeting of Jewish civilians on October 7, 2023. Israel retaliated with the objective of destroying Hamas completely, resulting in heavy civilian casualties due to Hamas's strategy of using civilians, especially children and women, as shields. The aid sent to Gaza over the years has been used primarily to construct underground tunnels and a subterranean city. While I am no geopolitical expert to predict the future trajectory of this conflict, it will be interesting to see how Iran and even Turkey play their roles.

My Opinion

The claim that Jews are settler colonizers is contrary to historical facts. Jews are indigenous to the land, and given the extensive history of anti-Semitism, they deserve a homeland. However, it is equally unjust to ask Palestinian Arabs, who have lived there for centuries, to leave, even if they didn't have a national consciousness until recent times. Morally and historically, a two-state solution is the most viable option, though issues concerning Jerusalem and the West Bank are extremely complex due to deep-seated religious rivalries.

Many observers note that neither side is entirely innocent given the covert and overt acts of violence both sides have indulged in. Therefore, third parties should remain largely neutral while condemning the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Hamas's terrorism, and Israel's targeting of civilians. The situation becomes complicated when the Kashmir issue is linked to the Palestinian cause, as slogans of "Azadi" (freedom) for Kashmir can diminish sympathy for Palestine among Indians. No self-respecting Hindu would accept the separation of Kashmir from India. Misreading history in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict is similarly misapplied to Kashmir, leading to accusations of Indian state settler colonialism. In the context of Kashmir, true decolonization would involve the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes, the expulsion of jihadi terrorists, and the reclamation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Critics may point to Jewish religious views on idol worship to question the Indian right-wing's support for Israel, but historical realities show which side has consistently supported India despite the theological differences that might exist. It's unfortunate that reminders are necessary about Palestinian terrorists who hijacked a plane, resulting in the death of Neerja Bhanot, who saved many Indians. Additionally, it's important to note the Palestinian stance on Kashmir. To conclude, ideally, Indians shouldn't be too enthusiastic in siding with either Israel or Palestine. However, when dishonest rhetoric is used to garner emotional support for Palestine, it needs to be called out. When a section of Indians expresses solidarity with Palestinians while ignoring or whitewashing the atrocities faced by Pakistani Hindus and Bangladeshi Hindus, it is important to call out the hypocrisy of these paid celebrities and influencers. Form your opinions after watching videos from both sides about the history and present of the conflict, reading articles, and considering the relations of both these countries with India.

May peace prevail.