Kerala: CPI(M) Holds Palestine Solidarity Rally, Condemns Israeli Blockade of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is holding a series of pro-Palestine rallies and gatherings across Kerala, condemning the brutal attack by the Israeli forces. The party has also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Union government of pulling out from the pro-Palestine stand in international bodies, including the United Nations (UN), in favour of Israel.

In a solidarity meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on November 16, the leaders of CPI(M) and other constituents of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), democratic, secular and civil society organisations extended their firm solidarity with the people of Palestine and demanded an immediate end to the genocidal attacks.

With pro-Palestine rallies being organised across different countries, Kerala has also witnessed several such solidarity meetings with wider participation from different social organisations.

Inaugurating the gathering, the chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, urged the government of India to stand firmly with the people of Palestine, as the country has done before and after independence.

“The change in policies of the successive Union governments, from recognising Israel and establishing diplomatic ties under the regime of PV Narasimha Rao to the present regime guided by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is a result of the rulers submitting to the pressure of US on multiple fronts. The prime minister of India expressed support to Israel, which cannot be considered as the opinion of the masses,” he said.

Questioning the silence of the Congress party at the national level on the brutal attack by Israel forces leading to the killing of more than 11,000 people, including children and women, Vijayan ridiculed the Congress leadership for retreating from the established position of the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

“Only the left parties have held solidarity gatherings in the capital city. Though India was an integral part of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), we adopted a strong anti-imperialistic stand. Unfortunately, the country pursues a pro-imperialist policy now due to becoming a junior partner of the US,” he added.

Participants of the Palestine solidarity rally held in Kozhikode.

Reassuring the support to Palestine and condemning the imperialist US-backed Israeli attack on innocent children and women under the guise of eliminating Hamas, he said.

“The people of Palestine have the right to live in their motherland, a two-country policy adopted by the UN and agreed by various countries. The UN General Assembly has passed resolutions designating Israel as the occupying force. Israel should not enter the boundary of Palestine.”

The speakers at the solidarity meeting, including Swami Sandeepananda Giri, the founder of the School of Bhagavad Gita, Kadaikal Abdul Aziz Moulavi, the president of Kerala Muslim Jamaat, Syed Musaliyar of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, condemned the Israel attacks on hospitals, refugee camps and residential areas in Gaza.

“Some fundamentalist groups are questioning why Palestine solidarity rallies are held in Kerala. During my student days, we participated in protests against the arrest and detention of Nelson Mandela and the imperialist blockades on Cuba. Those questioning the solidarity rallies have no knowledge about the anti-imperialist and pro-socialist stand of Kerala,” Giri said.

Touching upon the violation of the Oslo Accords agreement by Israel, V Joy, MLA and the Thiruvananthapuram district secretary of the CPI(M), accused the Zionist regime of encroaching the Palestinian land and blocking essential supplies.

“Even the Jews in several countries are taking out rallies against the occupation by Israel. The imperialist forces led by the US and Britain are supporting Israel in the genocidal attacks on Palestinians. These are war crimes committed against the true owners of the land,” he said.

MV Govindan Master, CPI(M) state secretary, inaugurated the solidarity gathering held in Thrissu

 Earlier on November 11, the CPI(M) held a massive rally and public meeting in solidarity with Palestine in Kozhikode and Thrissur on November 14 which saw widespread participation from different sections of the political and social sections.