A large number of people under the banner of ‘Indian people in solidarity with Gaza’ gathered outside the Israel Embassy on Sunday to protest against what they termed “Zionist massacre.”
While chanting “in pain, we are with you Gaza,” the protesters called for an immediate halt on the ongoing aerial attacks by Israel in Gaza. The conflict has led to at least 160 civilian casualties on the Palestinian side while a few Israeli citizens were reportedly injured in rockets fired by Hamas.
The protest comes as United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay appealed to both sides to respect international law while expressing alarm at the death toll.
Sandeep Samvad, who organised the demonstration, said the protest was an expression of solidarity with the civilian population of Gaza. While demanding an “immediate end” to what he termed “genocide,” Mr. Samvad said he condemned the silence of governments across the world, including India.
He wanted the Indian government to “put forward a demand before the Israeli government to immediately put an end to this genocide.”
“In case Israel fails to do so, the Indian government must sever its diplomatic relationship with Israel.”
After the demonstration, the protesters wanted to submit a memorandum to the Israeli Ambassador and to the Indian government, but could not do so.
“In the memorandum to be submitted to the Indian government, we have sought the Indian government to summon the Israeli ambassador and demand an immediate end to the bombings. The Ambassador must be warned that if the bombings continue, the Indian government will sever its diplomatic relations with Israel. Further, the Indian government must initiate a proposal to call an emergency meeting of the UN on this matter,” he said.
