A Historical Background

India used to be a strong supporter of Palestine. However, things have changed recently. Let's take a look at why.

In 1947, India voted against the partition of Palestine in the United Nations General Assembly. It was also one of the first non-Arab countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization as the representative of the Palestinian people. India even recognized the State of Palestine in 1988.

But when it comes to Israel, India didn't establish diplomatic relations until 1992. Previous Indian governments had mostly maintained quiet relations with Israel.

Strong Support for Israel

On October 27, India took a stronger pro-Israel stance than usual during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It opposed a United Nations resolution calling for a "humanitarian truce" in Gaza.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to condemn the attack launched by Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, on Israel.

India views the current conflict as a war against terrorism and supports Israel's counter-terrorism operations. Pro-Israel marches have become common in India, while the government has cracked down on pro-Palestine protesters.

Reasons for the Change

So, why did India's policy change? One reason is the rise of Hindu nationalism in India. The current government wants to maintain good relations with the United States and believes that supporting Israel will help India become a global power.

However, not all people in India support Israel. Many still believe in justice and self-determination for the Palestinians. But due to the current climate, it's difficult for them to express their support publicly.

Similarities Between Hindu Nationalism and Zionism

Some experts see similarities between Hindu nationalism and Zionism. Both ideologies aim to establish exclusive states and have expansionist goals. They believe that India and Israel were originally Hindu and Jewish civilizations, respectively, and want to restore them to their former glory.

It's important to note that not all Indians support this ideology. Many still stand with the Palestinians in their struggle for independence.

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Source: The Diplomat magazine