At IUML rally, Shashi Tharoor calls Hamas action ‘terrorist attack’, MK Muneer terms it 'resistance'

Kozhikode: Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor termed the Hamas attack against Israel as a "terrorist act” at the rally held by the Indian Union Muslim League in solidarity with Palestine. He used the term multiple times throughout the speech.

Tharoor condemned the “disproportionate retaliation” of Israel and stated that the country was committing war crimes. He reminded that India has always stood with Palestine and even Mahatma Gandhi was against the formation of Israel in Arab land.

However, Dr MK Muneer, MLA, who spoke last at the event, without naming Tharoor, said that resistance and attack are different and the Muslim League always supports Palestine.

Excerpts from the speech by Tharoor:

“For the past 19 days, the world has been witnessing one of the worst human rights tragedies. Thousands of people died, including innocent women and children. First in Israel, then in Gaza. There are historical reasons and people may have their own arguments, but no one can justify actions that trouble people.”

“India has always stood for peace, since the time of Gandhiji. We have always stood for a permanent solution to this crisis. For Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side with dignity and security in their own lands and behind their own borders. But that is not what we are seeing.

“On October 7, terrorists attacked Israel and killed 1,400 individuals and took 200 people hostage. But in retaliation, Israel killed 6,000 people.”

The MP added that Israel was violating war laws.

“There are some laws even for war, like the one to protect innocent civilians. But Israel violates everything. Humanitarian aid is not sufficient as they don't let it enter Gaza.”

“When terrorists attacked innocent women and children, the world condemned them. But we also condemned when Israel bombed.”

“Gandhi once said, an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. As I said earlier, terrorist activities have taken place on both sides. The death toll is higher than in the last 15 years of war. During that period, more than 6,000 Palestinians died. Around 300 Israelis also died.”

“Palestinians live under suffocating occupation. Even during these days, in the West Bank where there were no terrorist activities, 102 Palestinians were killed while only one Israeli died.”

“IUML is a secular party. This rally is not to highlight a Muslim issue. This is a human rights issue. War knows no religion. Christians were also killed in Gaza.”

Tharoor also narrated the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. He recalled that India stood with Palestine and opposed the creation of Israel.

Muneer's reply

While speaking at the event, MLA MK Muneer said: "Britishers consider the fights of Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose as a terrorist act. Similarly, the imperialists consider the fight in Gaza as a terrorist act. The children of Palestine say they pray six times a day, including Janazah (funeral prayer in Islam). Palestine is fighting for freedom while Israel is committing a genocide. As Bertolt Brecht said, ‘...the most beautiful of all doubts is when the downtrodden and despondent raise their heads and stop believing in the strength of their oppressors.’”

“Children in Palestine threw stones at the Israeli army. It may have gotten stronger. But we are always with them. Resistance and attack are different,” said Muneer. Shashi Tharoor was on stage while Muneer was speaking.