Congress In A Bind As CWC Resolution Supports Palestinian Cause, Skips Mention Of Hamas Or Terror

The Congress has found itself in a difficult situation after the party's Working Committee resolution reaffirmed its support to the Palestinian cause without mentioning the horrific attack carried out by Hamas on Israel.

Despite some members of the CWC calling for condemnation of the terror attack and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge suggesting a focus on the caste census, the committee reportedly proceeded with the resolution.

Kharge had proposed that a statement on the Middle East could be issued later if necessary, Indian Express reported. “The CWC expresses its dismay and anguish on the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect. The CWC calls for an immediate cease-fire and for negotiations to begin on all outstanding issues including the imperative issues that have given rise to the present conflict,” the CWC resolution said.

The statement, which formed the final paragraph of the resolution, has caused unease within the party.

A member of the CWC expressed concern, stating that the formulation of the statement appears to condone the terrorist attack by Hamas.

"It is an absurd formulation. It is as if we are condoning the terrorist attack by Hamas. As if we are endorsing terrorism. There will be a backlash," a CWC member was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the terrorist attacks in Israel. Although he did not specifically name Hamas, but his message on X was clear.

“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour," PM Modi said.

According to sources cited in the IE report, the draft resolution of the CWC did not address the Middle East crisis.

The main purpose of the CWC meeting was to endorse Rahul Gandhi's call for a caste census and the removal of the 50 percent cap on reservation for SC, ST, and OBCs.

Jairam Ramesh, the party's communication head, had issued a brief statement on Sunday.

Towards the end of the meeting, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala from Kerala insisted that the resolution should express solidarity with the people of Palestine while condemning the Hamas attack.

He argued that the party has always been committed to the Palestinian cause.

In response to Chennithala's intervention, a few lines were promptly added to the resolution. However, they had no mention of Hamas or the word "terrorism."

In fact, the official reaction of the Congress issued by Ramesh Sunday also made no mention of Hamas or terror while calling the attack “brutal", IE reported.

“The Indian National Congress condemns the brutal attacks on the people of Israel. The Indian National Congress has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a life of self-respect, equality and dignity must be fulfilled only through a process of dialogue and negotiations while ensuring the legitimate national security interests of the Israeli people. Violence of any type never provides a solution and must stop,” Ramesh had said in a post on X Sunday.

During the CWC meeting, several members, including Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Kumar Bansal, pointed out that the formulation read out did not mention Hamas or the word terrorism.

Around half of the estimated 40 members argued that the party should condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, considering its historical position against terrorism.

However, many leaders believed that Ramesh's statement on Sunday was balanced and nuanced, and therefore a separate statement was unnecessary.

During the discussion, Kharge stepped in to express his concern. He emphasized that the focus should not be shifted away from the CWC's stance on the caste census.

He suggested that if necessary, a separate statement regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict could be issued at a later time.

To the surprise of many leaders, the paragraph on support to the Palestinian cause was included in the CWC resolution that was subsequently released to the media, leaving many leaders unhappy.