When Israel was being created, Mahatma Gandhi had clearly said that Palestine belongs to the Arabs just as England belongs to the English and France to the French. In other words, he had rejected the proposal to create Israel in the Jerusalem region. The United Nations passed a resolution in 1947 to create two states; Israel came into existence, but Palestine has still not been granted full recognition by the United Nations. In 2012, it was only given the status of a non-member observer state.
From 1948, during Nakba, when about 7,00,000 Palestinians were evicted to the past three years, when Israel has killed around 72,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children, Israel has continued its oppression of Palestinians, Alongside this, Jews from all over the world have been brought and settled here, especially on Palestinian land, most recently 240 people from India’s Mizoram were taken there with much fanfare.
In the October 7, 2023 attack, Hamas, which governs Gaza, took about 250 Israelis hostage and killed around 1,200 people. All hostages were later released, alive or dead. However, as of today, around 10,000 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails, and Israel has recently passed a law allowing the death penalty for them. It is being said that this law is for those accused of deadly attacks, but it is certain that many more people will be affected. This law is discriminatory because it will not apply to Jews.
The International Court of Justice stated in its 2024 judgment that Israel has illegally occupied Palestinian land and must vacate it. Jews who were forcibly settled on Palestinian land should be removed, essential supplies such as food, water, and medicines must be ensured, and no obstacles should be created in the functioning of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. Many countries believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. In 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister, declaring them war criminals.
Israel has blockaded Gaza and the West Bank, the two Palestinian territories. More than half of Gaza’s land is under Israeli control now. Israel uses weapons extensively, and by blocking food and medicines, children in Gaza are also facing starvation. The ceasefire of October 10, 2025, has no meaning as since then Israel has killed over 700 more people in Gaza.
In 2010, a flotilla from Turkey attempted to break the blockade of Gaza. Israel attacked the ship named Mavi Marmara, killing nine activists. In 2025, a Global Sumud Flotilla was organized in which more than 500 activists from 44 countries sailed on 40 ships toward Gaza. This international effort aimed to break the blockade. It included well-known climate activist Greta Thunberg and the grandson of Nelson Mandela. Before reaching Gaza, Israel stopped all ships, arrested the activists and deported them to their countries. These activists were also mistreated.
This year, over 1,000 activists from 100 countries are participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla. Ships have already departed from Spain and Italy. This international initiative is a powerful way to express solidarity with Palestinians.
As long as Palestinians continue their struggle, it is important for us to stand with them; otherwise, like Tibet, people may forget their struggle. Donald Trump’s plan to create a Board of Peace for Gaza—aimed at disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza—has increased concerns about Gaza’s existence, because the plan is being made without Palestinian participation. The United States wants to eliminate Hamas’s weapons and end Iran’s nuclear programme, but says nothing about Israel, which has developed nuclear weapons secretly and illegally, and instead continues to support it with weapons and money.
Whether it is Palestine or Tibet, if the people there seek freedom, it is their right—and it is our duty to stand with them.
By Sandeep Pandey
Contact: 0522-2355978, 3564437
E-mail: ashaashram@yahoo.com
Sandeep Pandey is the National General Secretary of the Socialist Party (India).
