‘Modi can play positive role for Palestinians’

The Modi government can play a “positive” role between Palestinians and Israelis as tension flare up once again in the holy AlAqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, Palestine said on Wednesday.

Palestine said it was “not worried about the growing ties between India and Israel as long its (New Delhi’s) attitude towards Palestine remained unchanged”. Palestine also accused Israel of imposing “additional physical hindrances” at the Al-Aqsa compound, “including electronic gates, metal detectors, cameras and barriers”.

“Israel has been making it impossible for the Palestinians to go to the Mosque and offer prayers,” Palestinian ambassador in New Delhi Adnan Abu Alhaijaa said, accusing Israel of crafting a “plan of Judaisation of East Jerusalem in general and Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular”. “Palestine is still in the hearts of the Indian people” and that “a majority of Indian people support the Palestinian cause”, the envoy said.

The Palestinian ambassador said, “We are expecting the government of India to continue its positive attitude” (to the Palestinian cause). Referring to the “strong” ties between the Modi government in India and the Israeli government, Mr Alhaijaa said, “This government (of PM Narendra Modi) can play a positive role. They know what are the rights of Palestinians.” He also sought Indian “interference” to resolve the tense situation over Al-Aqsa. The envoy also pointed out that the previous UPA government did not enjoy such strong ties with Israel as the present government.

“There was a positive attitude from Mr Modi during the Palestinian President’s (Mahmoud Abbas) visit (in May this year). We consider this the official attitude (the government of India).”