RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-710
ANSWERED ON 08/02/2024
CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
710. SHRI ELAMARAM KAREEM
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether Government is aware about the raising conflict between Israel and Palestine and unilateral attacks being carried out by Israel against innocent people;
(b) the stand of India on this issue;
(c) whether India is in favour of the 2 State solution, if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the reasons due to which India abstained from the UN resolution on this issue recently?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)
(a & b) India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 07 October 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We have called for restraint, de-escalation, emphasized peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We have also called for release of remaining hostages. Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have spoken to several leaders, including President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel and the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Palestine. We also reiterated our position in multilateral fora such as the UN, G20, BRICS and Voice of Global South Summit.
(c & d) India’s long standing policy towards Palestine has been that we have supported a negotiated two State solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. External Affairs Minister met the Foreign Minister of Palestine on 20 January 2024 in Kampala and reiterated India’s support for a two State solution.
Our voting on UN resolutions on the issue of Israel Palestine have been in line with our stated policy.
******