Guwahati, Oct 15: The leader of AIMIM and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, has sparked controversy with his remarks on the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and India’s stance on the issue. Owaisi condemned Israel and labelled Prime Minister Netanyahu as a war criminal.
He also called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge an end to the Israel-Hamas war, emphasizing that if India aspires to be a superpower or a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it needs to be proactive. Owaisi lamented the silence of the world regarding the Israeli occupation, which has persisted for seven decades.
Owaisi expressed concern for the people of Gaza, stating that out of its 2.1 million population, 1 million have been left homeless. He accused the Israeli government of seeking to force all Gazans to evacuate and convert the region into a security zone.
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He questioned the world’s silence in the face of these developments and urged action against those responsible for attacks while also questioning the plight of the Palestinian people. Owaisi contended that Israel has maintained an occupation for 70 years, rendering Palestine an occupied territory, and decried the lack of attention to this issue.
In response to Owaisi’s remarks, Assam’s Chief Minister and BJP leader, Himanta Biswa Sarma, criticized the AIMIM leader’s statements, describing them as a tactic to gain publicity.
Sarma questioned the impact of chanting “Palestine Jindabad” (Long live Palestine) in India and suggested that Owaisi should take his advice to Gaza or even fight on behalf of Hamas if he feels so strongly about the situation. Sarma’s stance was dismissive of Owaisi’s comments, asserting that they serve no constructive purpose.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously expressed support for Israel following a terror attack by Hamas. However, India’s official stance has consistently emphasized the need for continued negotiations to establish a sovereign and free Palestine.
Since the terror attack on Israel on October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces have launched a significant counteroffensive against Hamas sites in Gaza. As the conflict enters its eighth day, total casualties are nearing 4,000.
