Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The savage and horrific wave of air strikes by the Israeli Government on the densely populated Gaza strip leading to the killing of over 200 Palestinians, one third of whom are reportedly women and children and causing severe injuries to hundreds more, once again exposes the state terrorism indulged in by Israel. This attack comes on top of the siege of Gaza by the Israeli armed forces. The Israeli government has been oblivious to all the calls for stopping its policies of colonial repression in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel is emboldened in its aggression by the backing it receives from the United States.
The United Nations, if it is to have any credibility at all, must immediately take all steps to halt the Israeli attacks and protect and defend the rights of the Palestinian people.
The CPI(M) demands that the Manmohan Singh Government come out strongly against the Israeli Government for this massacre. Its shameful policy of promoting security and military collaboration with the Israeli State even while Israel continues its occupation and war against the Palestinians will harm India’s image among the countries of West Asia and damage India’s own interests. The CPI(M) reiterates its demand that the Congress-led Government cease its security and military ties with Israel.