'India Has Excellent Relations With Israel, Palestine' | In Conversation With Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Palestine Envoy

Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Palestine in New Delhi, gives an overview of the ongoing war in Gaza. In an interview with Tarique Anwar, he talks about the standpoints of different countries on the Palestine issue.

What is the present situation in Gaza?

ღAs you know, we are over one year into Israel’s aggression on Gaza. This war is different than the previous ones. This is not just a war, it is genocide. What makes this war particularly horrific is that the details of the destruction are being broadcast live across social media and other media platforms. People can see the displacement, hunger and devastation affecting civilians. Houses, hospitals, mosques, schools and universities are razed to the ground.

🍰The scale of destruction is staggering. Thirty-five hospitals have been completely destroyed. Schools and university buildings are gone. This year, a new generation of students has been denied access to education due to the ongoing war.

There is a severe food 𒐪crisis. No consignment of wheat is allowed to enter Gaza, and bakeries are unable to operate. International aid convoys, including those from the United Nations, have been targeted. Such attacks have made it increasingly difficult to provide food for the people. This is a form of political pressure. Despite entering the 21st century,

ꦬPalestinians are still suffering from the same types of aggression we have seen for decades.

As someone with decades of experience as a journalist, you understand the importance of media coverage. What do you think will emerge once international media is allowed to enter Gaza?

﷽Yes, one of Israel’s strategies is to silence any voice coming from Gaza. They have even targeted journalists—over 200 have been killed. Israel has also restricted international media access to Gaza, especially by destroying the Rafah border with Egypt. It has made it impossible for journalists to enter. They allow only Israeli media, which only highlight their side of the story. But when international media is finally allowed into Gaza, I believe hundreds, if not thousands, of reporters will cover the human stories, each filled with suffering and resilience.

♏Palestinians are already documenting everything on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. The personal stories and footage shared by individuals on the ground have been a powerful force in raising global awareness and mobilising support for the Palestinian cause. If a ceasefire happens, we can expect an influx of media coverage, showing the true human cost of this war.

Speaking of a ceasefire, what prompted Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Lebanon? Do you think this could pave the way for a ceasefire in Gaza?

🅰Netanyahu is targeting Lebanon in the same way he is targeting Gaza. He aims to create divisions between Lebanon and Palestine, especially as Lebanon has shown support for Palestine and is fighting alongside Palestinians in the north. There have been ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Lebanon, with countries like France and the United States involved, but it is still uncertain.

🌺However, recently there has been increased talk of a potential ceasefire in Gaza, with sources in Israel and the Arab world mentioning it. Even President Trump, ahead of taking office, has called on Netanyahu to pursue a ceasefire. Palestinians on the ground are desperately asking for a ceasefire, as life has become unbearable, especially with the approaching winter.

🎉India’s Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) also called for a ceasefire in his letter of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and we appreciate his support. A ceasefire is essential to return to peace and stability, not just for Palestinians, but for the entire Middle East.

How do you view the role of Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, in addressing the Palestinian issue? And what about Iran’s role in this context?

🍨Arab nations have consistently called for a ceasefire and peace. The Arab Peace Initiative, which offers full normalisation of relations with Israel in exchange for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, remains on the table. However, Israel has consistently rejected this initiative.

🎉The Palestinian cause is deeply connected to the Arab world, and the support we receive from Arab countries like Saudi Arabia has been vital. On the other hand, Iran has also been involved in supporting Palestine, but the situation is more complex, particularly with the geopolitical dynamics in the region. We, as Palestinians, work with all countries—whether in South America, Asia or Africa—to achieve our goal of an independent Palestinian state.

There are also reports about Israel’s plan to divide Gaza or transfer control of the Palestinian enclave to Fatah. What is your opinion on this?

꧋This is not a new plan. It has been in the works for some time. Israel’s military strategies aim to divide Gaza, splitting the north from the south, even though Gaza is a small, densely populated area. They want to push Palestinians out, especially the refugees who make up the majority of the population, and make Gaza a deserted area. But despite the bombings and destruction, Palestinians in Gaza continue to stand strong and united. Their resistance will prevent Israel from achieving its goals of dividing and depopulating Gaza.

Gaza is often described as the world’s largest open-air prison, with no airport and surrounded by checkpoints. Despite a year of bombings, Israel has not been able to claim complete control. What do you think is the reason behind this?

🅘The resilience of the people of Gaza is the main reason why Israel has not been able to conquer the territory. Despite all the bombings, the people of Gaza remain united and confident in their cause. The resistance has been strong, and the people refuse to leave their land. Their unity and determination have stopped Israel from achieving its objective.

Given the Iranian regime’s involvement in this conflict, do you think it is time for Arab nations to normalise relations with Iran?

🍌This is an issue for the Arab nations to address. Palestinians, however, maintain relations with Iran as part of our broader strategy to seek support for our cause. We are working with countries from all over the world to achieve our goal of an independent Palestinian state.

How do you view the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in raising the Palestinian issue on the international stage?

✅The OIC has been very vocal in calling for ceasefires, peace and support for Palestinian rights. Through its declarations and resolutions, the OIC, along with other regional groups like the Arab League and GCC, has been a crucial platform in raising the Palestinian cause on the international stage. These groups work together to push for political solutions and to amplify the voices of the Palestinian people.

Looking ahead, do you expect further escalation after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025? Many Palestinians view him as a strong supporter of Israel.

💃We hope that President Trump’s second term will be different from his first. We remain cautious, as we believe in practical actions rather than speeches. If he truly wants to help stop the war in Gaza and Lebanon, we will be watching closely to see what his foreign policy actually delivers on the ground.

Finally, how do you see India’s role in this conflict? Do you think India has deviated from its historical position on Palestine?

🐎India has excellent relations with both the Palestinian leadership and Israel. We hope that India, as a key global player, can take a more active role in promoting peace and advocating for a ceasefire. India could also spearhead an international peace conference to address the situation. We look forward to seeing more Indian support in Gaza, whether through humanitarian projects or diplomatic efforts.

⭕We believe India can play a vital role in bringing about peace and supporting the Palestinian cause.