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CPI(M): snap military ties with Israel

Special Correspondent

Says ally tag mars India’s traditional support to the Palestinian cause

KOCHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday urged the Government of India to snap all military ties with Israel and work to mobilise world opinion against the continued Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

A resolution, adopted by the CPI(M) central committee on the opening day of its three-day session here, pointed out that the Manmohan Singh government’s identification as an ally of Israel was harmful to the country’s interests and that it marred India’s traditional support to the Palestinian cause.

Given the merciless assault on innocent civilians by the Israeli army in the last few days, it was incumbent upon the Congress-led government to immediately cease all military cooperation with Israel.

India could not be a party to the inhuman aggression. It must exercise its influence with developing countries to mobilise public opinion for an immediate ceasefire and eventual realisation of the Palestinian nation.

Indian people, who had all along stood with the Palestinians in their genuine struggle for a homeland, must today rise in protest against the inhuman Israeli attack. This declaration of solidarity must be accompanied by much-required humanitarian assistance, the resolution said.

Protect Tamil civilians

The meeting also sought protection to Tamil civilians caught in the crossfire between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury told journalists that there had to be a clear distinction between the LTTE and the civilian population.

He was part of a delegation that called on the Prime Minister to urge the Government of India to take all steps possible to protect Tamil civilians.

The CPI(M), he said, always maintained that the strife in the island nation could be brought to an end only through a political solution of giving maximum autonomy to the northern parts within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

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