India’s Stand on Israel-Palestine Violence:
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India recently issued a statement in UNSC on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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It showed strong support for the just Palestinian cause. Further, India supported the two-state solution for solving the conflict.
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The country expressed deep concern over violence in Jerusalem especially on Haram esh-Sharif/Temple Mount during the holy month of Ramzan.
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Possible eviction process in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhood in East Jerusalem was also criticized.
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The statement pointed towards the clashes in the Al-Aqsa compound and East Jerusalem’s neighbourhood as the trigger point of conflict. Rather than May 10 rocket strikes by the Hamas group over Israel.
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The country requested both sides to refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status quo, including in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhood.
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This means Israel should stop the eviction process of Palestinians and restore the status quo ante at the Al Aqsa compound.
Evolving Nature of India’s Palestine policy:
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In the statement, there was no direct reference to the status of Jerusalem or the future Israel-Palestine borders.
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The statement did not mention east Jerusalem as the future capital of Palestine under the two-state solution. Although, this has been the traditional stance of India.
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Until 2017, India called for creating secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel. However, now the focus is only on peaceful coexistence with Israel.
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Earlier India used to use the term Haram esh-Sharif, but now it has been using the term Haram esh-Sharif/Temple Mount. The Former term meant exclusive Islamic control and ownership but the latter makes it a Jewish as well as Islamic issue.
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Further, as a part of the Link West Policy, India has de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018. This allows it to treat both the countries as mutually independent and exclusive.