Activists Urge Indian Government to Revoke Licenses for Military Supplies to Israel

Activists have called for the Indian government to revoke licenses of companies supplying military arms to Israel, citing an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling. The ICJ stated that Israel is violating obligations under the Genocide Convention. At a press conference, author Arundhati Roy, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, economist Jean Dreze, retired diplomat Ashok Sharma, and advocate Prashant Bhushan highlighted India's role in supplying military equipment to Israel.

Solidarity with Palestine

Karat emphasised India's historical solidarity with Palestine and the need to hold the government accountable. "Solidarity with Palestine requires us to hold accountable our own government and its actions which support the perpetrators of the continuing barbaric horror against children and people of Palestine," she said. She urged the cancellation of all licenses for military supplies to Israel, noting that Indian-made drones and explosives are being used in the conflict.

Karat also criticised India for importing military and security equipment from Israel, which economically supports Israel's actions. She condemned the government's decision to send Indian labourers to replace Palestinian workers in Israel. "Thousands of workers have been shipped off to Israel. This is direct support of apartheid policy of Zionist govt of Israel," she added.

Calls for Ceasefire

Dreze read a statement from the Right to Food Campaign, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza. He mentioned that many Palestinians have died and those injured lack medical facilities as Israel targets relief workers and ambulances. "This attack on the right to food and healthcare is reason enough on its own to call for an immediate ceasefire and to end all cooperation with the state of Israel for the time being," Dreze said.

He criticised the Indian government for not contributing to ending these war crimes. "On the contrary, it has remained a faithful ally of the Israeli government – subsidizing Indian companies that produce military material for Israel, sending Indian workers to Israel in replacement of Palestinian workers, and suppressing protests against Israel in India," he added.

Public Responsibility

Roy stressed that it is the responsibility of Indians to show they do not support what is happening in Gaza. "We want this weapon export to stop," she said. She also pointed out that while the US is complicit by exporting arms to Israel, India is exporting its poverty by sending workers there. Roy mentioned that protests supporting Palestine in America are often crushed.

"Students in America can protest against their own government, but they cannot protest against Israel. When they protest against Israel, students and teachers are beaten up and arrested," Roy noted. She urged people to demonstrate their opposition to their government's support for actions in Gaza.

Comparisons with Kargil

Sharma highlighted social media claims suggesting India helps Israel because of arms supplied during the Kargil war. He questioned this comparison by stating, "How can you compare Kargil with Gaza? We were tying to throw out intruders, whereas in Gaza, it is a case of mass scale genocide against civilians who are innocent." He also noted attempts during elections to use the Gaza conflict to promote Islamophobia.

Bhushan argued that India's export of military equipment to Israel violates laws and officials involved should face consequences. The activists plan to submit a memorandum to the government and Parliament members. Karat expressed hope that Parliament would address this issue soon.

The activists aim for their memorandum to reach all MPs and defence officials, urging them to take action against military supplies supporting conflicts in Gaza. They believe raising awareness within Parliament could lead to significant changes in India's foreign policy regarding Palestine.