“Shocked And Ashamed”: Priyanka Gandhi Says As India Abstains UN Vote For ‘Humanitarian Truce’

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. The resolution, moved by Jordan, also demanded “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi lashed out at Indian government for abstaining from voting.

After quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” comment, Ms Gandhi said that she is “shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

“Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives, these principles form the basis of the constitution that defines our nationhood. They represent the moral courage of India that guided its actions as a member of the international community,” she wrote on an X post.

“To refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverised, food, water, medical supplies, communication and power is cut off to millions of people and thousands of men, women and children in Palestine are being annihilated goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation,” Ms Gandhi wrote as Israel pounded bombs on Gaza which claimed the lives of more than 7,000 civilians of which 40 per cent are children.

However, India”s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel, in an explanation address to the UNGA said India hopes that the deliberations of the assembly will send a clear message against terror and violence and expand prospects for diplomacy and dialogue, while addressing the humanitarian crisis that confronts us.

Without pointing out the main reason for India’s abstention, Ms Patel said, “In a world where differences and disputes should be resolved by dialogue, this august body should be deeply concerned at recourse to violence. That too, when it happens on a scale and intensity that is an affront to basic human values. Violence as a means to achieve political objectives damages indiscriminately, and does not pave the way for any durable solutions.”

She also added that the terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. “Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality, or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.

“Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India too has contributed to this effort.”

According to Ms Patel, “India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility.”

Mr Patel reiterated India’s position as “India has always supported a negotiated Two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel.”

“For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations,” she said.

The resolution was moved by Jordan which called for an unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza strip.

The 193 members of UN General Assembly met in the resumed 10th Emergency Special Session and voted on the draft resolution. The resolution was titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations”. 140 nations voted in favour while 14 against it and 45 abstaining.

Apart from India, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and UK abstained.

US expressed outrage for not mentioning the militant group Hamas and referred it as “omission of evil”. Canada proposed an amendment with a paragraph condemning ‘Hamas attack on Israel’ and to state in the resolution that the general assembly “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages, demands the safety, well-being and humane treatment of the hostages in compliance with international law, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release”.

India voted in favour of the amendment along with 87 other countries while 55 members voted against it and 23 abstained. But the amendment was not adopted as they failed to have two-third majority.