India’s friendly ties with Israel could ‘interfere’ with the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The ambassador of Palestine Adnan Abu Al Haija on Wednesday termed Israel’s latest actions in Al Aqsa as a ‘religious war’ and said that Palestine expects a “positive attitude” from India.
“India’s present government is friendly to Israel. Previous governments were also close to Israel but this government is particularly so. India’s friendly ties with Israel could interfere with the present situation in Jerusalem,” said the envoy and added, “Al Aqsa mosque is an Islamic place of worship. Period. Jerusalem is a city of three religions and we respect all religions.” He however maintained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel which excluded a visit to Ramallah in the Palestinian territory did not impact ties between two sides.
The envoy said that Israel has been trying to disturb the sanctity of the Al Aqsa mosque for a long time but for the first time since 1967 has begun the Judaisation process.
“The Judaisation campaign of Israel received a serious blow last year when UNESCO declared Al Aqsa mosque compound to be uniquely Muslim. This has infuriated Israel, which decided to go with the latest provocation. Israeli-controlled Magistrates’ Court declared in a blatant statement that Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque are Jewish sanctuaries and sovereignty (of Israel) must be imposed on them,” said Mr Al Haija who strongly argued that there is no link between Palestinian issue and Kashmir as Kashmir is an “internal issue of India”.
The press conference by the ambassador of Palestine is extraordinary as it came in the backdrop of the ongoing violence around the Al Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. The envoy said that Israel is avoiding the ‘’two-state solution” and wants to impose control over the occupied parts of the city. Ambassador Al Haija said that India should play a “positive” role and maintain a positive attitude towards Palestine and said, “I have travelled in many parts of India and have seen that majority of the Indian people have the cause of Palestine in their hearts.”
