This refers to the editorial, “Standing by Palestine” (May 18). India and Palestine have historically enjoyed brotherly ties. India has been one of the strongest supporters of Palestine outside the Arab world. India, with its conviction borne out of its own fight against British empire, has always stood firmly behind the Palestine struggle. As per Mahatma Gandhi, “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs...Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home.” Even Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, greatly respected India for its unwavering support to Palestine.
Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas has rightly said, that India is a friend of Palestinian people, hence there is growing possibility of India playing a crucial role which can lead to comprehensive solution to Palestine’s decades-long issue with Israel. Today, Palestine and Israel need an honest peace-maker, which india can become under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Barack Obama couldn’t do it in his two-term presidency, but Modi can.