Palestine Embassy in-charge meets Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, congratulates her on poll victory from Wayanad

Amid the rising death toll in Gaza, Priyanka had in October last year criticised Israel, accusing it of violating every international law. Ahead of her electoral debut earlier this year, she had repeatedly hit out at the Benjamin Netanyahu government.

In July, she had spoken out strongly against Israel’s deadly and devastating offensive in Gaza, calling the war that has claimed the lives of thousands of people so far as “barbaric” and asking every country to condemn the Israeli government’s “genocidal actions” and force them to stop. Priyanka was recently elected as an MP from Wayanad, the Lok Sabha seat in Kerala that was vacated by her brother and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Wayanad has a considerable Muslim population.

Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d’affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

As per a statement by the Palestinian Embassy, Priyanka said during the meeting that “she had lived the Palestinian cause since childhood and believed in its justice”. Moreover, she mentioned meeting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat multiple times as a child during his visits to India to meet former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Priyanka also recalled the friendly, historical relations between the Palestinian and Indian people and also condemned the continuation of the Israeli war upon Gaza along with the silence of the international community, the Embassy said. “She regretted and grieved the scenes of destruction and devastation in Gaza including the targeted attacks on civilians and the fall of children and women. She offered her condolences to every mother who has lost her child,” it said.

During the meeting, Abu Jazer affirmed the importance of India’s role in the West Asia region, especially in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as New Delhi’s support for the rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and stability. He recalled the friendly, historical relations of Palestine with the Indian Congress Party and all other Indian political parties.

Two weeks ago, in a special message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s support for Palestine and expressed deep concern at the security and humanitarian situation arising out of the conflict. He also called for an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages, besides an end to acts of terrorism.

In a letter written to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 26, Modi said, ”India calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to all acts of terrorism, the release of hostages and the sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine.”