While urging India to use its influence to stop what he described as Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Husaini also criticized Western nations for their hypocrisy in not supporting the Palestinians as they have supported the Ukrainians.
India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) president Syed Sadatullah Husaini has called on the Indian government to leverage its influence to stop what he described as Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.
Addressing media persons at JIH headquarters here today, Mr Husaini expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and urged justice-loving individuals and Muslims worldwide to stand in support of their resistance against Israel’s actions. JIH vice-president Prof Salim Engineer was also present in the press conference.
This appeal follows the assassination of former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Iran by Israeli agents—a move that has sparked widespread condemnation and threats of retaliation from Iran. Husaini condemned Haniyeh’s killing as a blatant violation of diplomatic and humanitarian norms. He voiced concerns about Israel’s actions in the region, warning that they could trigger a broader conflict in the already volatile Middle East.
Mr Husaini emphasized the importance of peace, noting the catastrophic consequences a large-scale war in the Middle East would have globally. He called on major powers, including India, to prevent the region from descending into war. He stressed that peace hinges on halting Israel’s aggression, including targeted killings and missile strikes on neighbouring countries.
Mr Husaini urged the Indian government to halt all forms of support to Israel, particularly the supply of arms. He called for India to condemn what he described as the “blatant barbarity and violation of international laws” perpetrated by Israel, and to implement effective diplomatic measures to stop the alleged genocide in Gaza.
The JIH president accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law and labelled it as a rogue state, echoing sentiments from various human rights organizations and United Nations bodies that have accused Israel of war crimes. He criticized Western nations for their hypocrisy, contrasting their responses to the Ukraine war with their support for Israel’s actions in Palestine.
Mr Husaini praised the widespread protests against Israel that have erupted in major cities across Europe, North America, and other regions, viewing them as a reflection of public concern and a growing call for accountability. He expressed hope that these protests would lead to policy changes in Western nations.
The JIH leader highlighted Israel’s recent military actions in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, alongside its genocidal war in Palestine, suggesting that Israel poses a threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace.
He called on the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action, including ordering a ceasefire and ensuring Palestine’s freedom from what he described as Israel’s “apartheid and brutal regime.” He also demanded that “war criminals” within the Israeli regime be brought to justice.
Addressing criticism from some Indian media outlets that labelled Haniyeh a terrorist and appeared to celebrate his assassination, Mr Husaini condemned these views, stating they do not align with India’s national stance on Palestine. He argued that supporting the Palestinian cause is in line with India’s historical struggle for independence and its constitutional values.
“The Palestinian struggle is not just a matter of human rights but also a reflection of the core ethos of India’s freedom struggle and constitution,” Mr Husaini said. “Supporting the Palestinian cause aligns with our national morality and history. To ignore this cause is to betray our values.”
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates and regional tensions escalate, Mr Husaini emphasized the Palestinian struggle as a critical test for global justice and human rights.
The JIH leader also condemned the UP government trying to change the status of madrasas and force students of non-registered madrasas to government-run schools.
Expressing concern about the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, Mr Husaini said that the Bill, if it became a law, might result in censorship of over-the-top(OTT) platforms and erosion of digital media’s independence.
He said the Bill intended to create a backdoor Censor Board for regulation of information by proposing the formation of a Broadcast Advisory Council to advise the Union Government on violations of the programme code and advertisement code.
