‘Genocide’ in Gaza, not war: Sitaram Yechury at protest

Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza is “not a war, but a genocide”, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said during a protest in solidarity with Palestine held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The CPI(M) and other left-wing organizations demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and also accused the BJP-led government of supporting Israel.

“What is happening is not a war, but a genocide. War is between two armies. Both sides have weapons. Here, the attack is on unarmed people. This is unacceptable,” Mr. Yechury said.

“When we were students, it used to be written on passports that it is not valid for Israel and South Africa…” he said, adding that the Narendra Mod-led government has gone on its knees to support the regime under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

“The whole world should create pressure on Israel to stop the offensive,” he said.

Govt. deviating in its foreign policy
He said the current Modi regime is “deviating from the time-tested foreign policy of our country of allying with the Palestinian cause”. He added that Mr. Netanyahu must be tried by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for “war crimes”.

Delhi Deputy Mayor and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Aaley Mohammad Iqbal also participated in the protest.