India should adopt cautious approach with Tel Aviv: Palestinian Min

Ramallah, Palestine, Aug 19 (UNI) Expressing reservations on growing Indo-Israeli ties, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Ahmed Soboh said India, which is a strong votary of the Palestinian cause, should adopt a cautious approach in its relations with Tel Aviv.

"India should ensure that Israel does not get the benefit of peace without working seriously for peace in the region," Dr Soboh told the Indian Muslim delegation, which visited the Palestinian Authority area yesterday to make a spot study of the situation there.

He said India, as a leading nation in the world, could use its influence to pressurise Israel to start the peace process and find an amicable and honourable solution to the Palestinian problem. "We are grateful to India for extending moral and financial support to us during our struggle." One of the leading figures of the ruling Fatah faction Jamal Juma said, 'We are not happy with India's relations with Israel, particularly in the military and defence sectors. It is seriously harming the Palestinian cause as India has been the champion of the Palestinian cause.'' The Muslim delegation, including Dr Iftikhar Ahmed of the Interfaith Harmony Foundation, Khwaja Afzal Nizami of Nizamuddin Dargah and Maulana Omer Ilyasi of the Organisation of Imams of India and others could not visit the grave of the late Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and neither could get the opportunity to offer prayers at the Mausoleum of Prophet Abraham because of security reasons.

Referring to the stalemate in the peace process, the Minister said it was very difficult to achieve peace if the Israeli government refused to change its attitude and approach. "No solution is acceptable to us, which denies Palestinians their legitimate right of an independent State," he added.

Dr Soboh said all Arab and Islamic countries had conveyed to Israel that they were ready to recognise it in return of withdrawal of its troops from all occupied territories.

He rejected the Israeli government's claim that Iran, Syria and Hizbollah were responsible for creating hurdles in achieving peace in the region. ''Israel is using these allegations as delaying tactics and is acting as a foreign country, which is not interested in peace in the region. It must remember that it has to live with its neighbours so it is in the interest of Tel Aviv to hasten the peace process.'' Referring to President Mahmood Abbas's ties with Hamas, he said his government was against military objectives of Hamas, but happy to face it in elections.

Dr Soboh was critical of economic blockade of Gaza by the Israeli authorities, which is causing economic and other hardships for several million Palestinians. The Palestinians are living under the worst circumstances and the International community should take some immediate measures to end their sufferings.

The delegation members also met Representative of India to the Palestinian Authority Zikur Rehman, who said India wanted peaceful settlement of this critical issue.

India is helping the Palestinians by providing them humantarian assistance. India has also agreed to set up school for the Palestinian students.

UNI