Day after calling Hamas terrorists, Tharoor dropped from Palestine support event

CPI(M) and BJP also joined the issue even as Tharoor reiterated he was “always with the people of Palestine.

“Those who heard my speech would not believe it was pro-Israel,” Tharoor said.

“Somewhat bemused to learn of the attacks on me by those who, out of a 32-minute speech, have chosen to dwell on the 25 seconds in which I denounced the terrorist attacks of October 7 that triggered the current cycle of violence… If that’s all it takes to negate my support for the human rights of the Palestinian people, then I have nothing more to say,” Tharoor said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Referring to the present state of war between Hamas and Israel, Tharoor on Thursday had said, “On October 7, terrorists attacked Israel, killed 1,400 people and took 200 hostages. In answer to that, Israel has so far killed 6,000 people. When those terrorists massacred unarmed people, the world had condemned it. Now, everyone is condemning the Israel bombing. Terrorist acts took place from both sides.’’

Although a large part of his speech was dedicated to airing the concerns of Gaza and Palestine people, calling Hamas terrorists instantly irked the IUML. Senior party leader and legislator Dr M K Muneer rebutted Tharoor at the same venue. Muneer said the Palestine fight is a freedom struggle and it would be an act of terrorism only in the eyes of imperialistic forces.

Later on Friday, IUML officially came to Tharoor’s rescue with party general secretary P K Kunhalikutty saying there was no ground for controversy. “The Palestine rally was successful. Controversy over Tharoor’s words is unwarranted. There is a strong sentiment in favour of Palestine people across the world. Our rally was also aimed at expressing those sentiments,” he said.

However, pro-IUML Muslim scholars led by Sathar Panthalloor said it was too late to realise Tharoor was still showing gratitude to the salary he had drawn from the UN. “At the Congress WC, he had objected to the pro-Palestine resolution. Congress right from the days of Nehru had stood with Palestine people and had rejected the terrorism of Israel,” he said.

Many other Sunni leaders also wanted Tharoor to rectify his stand. In Thiruvananthapuram, a confederation of various masjid committees dropped Tharoor from their Palestine convention to be held on next Monday.

While the Congress state leadership did not come to Tharoor’s rescue, senior party legislator and Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the party always deplored Israel’s atrocities against Palestine. He said that this was the party’s stand and there was no change in it.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said, “IUML has mobilised a major mass movement for the Palestine cause. We see it is the responsibility of all those who stand against imperialism, to support Palestine at this hour of crisis. Tharoor had explained that he is with the Palestinian people.”

BJP state president K Surendran said the Israel-Palestine war was being used in Kerala for communal polarisation. “Anti-national, pro-Hamas slogans were raised at the rally. Hamas terrorists are depicted as freedom fighters. Tharoor has taken part in the rally only to win the votes of communal elements. IUML and CPI(M) are filling the slots vacated by the banned Popular Front of India,’’ he said.