New Delhi: Palestine’s Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, has urged New Delhi to take a leading role in rebuilding war-ravaged Gaza, emphasising that India’s balanced global relationships make it uniquely positioned to guide post-conflict reconstruction and humanitarian assistance.
Speaking at a press briefing, Shawesh posed a pointed question to India: “If not you, then who? If not India, then who?” He appealed to the Indian government to use its diplomatic influence and moral standing to help rebuild Gaza, which has suffered massive destruction amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Appeal for India’s leadership
The envoy highlighted India’s historical support for Palestine, recalling that India was among the first non-Arab countries to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988. He noted that India has traditionally maintained a position of solidarity with the Palestinian cause while simultaneously fostering strong ties with Israel, giving it a unique diplomatic balance.
According to Shawesh, this dual credibility positions India to act as a bridge in international efforts to rebuild Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis that has deepened over the past year. He said that Gaza’s population continues to suffer from displacement, malnutrition, and lack of medical aid. Hospitals, he added, are operating under extreme duress, with surgeries often being conducted without anaesthesia.
“Acts of genocide” in Gaza
The Palestinian envoy described the ongoing violence in Gaza as fitting the “definition of genocide,” citing statements from international human rights organisations and United Nations agencies. He said thousands of civilians, including women and children, have been killed or maimed, and many families remain trapped under rubble or in refugee camps.
While addressing criticisms linking Hamas to violence, Shawesh argued that the “occupation itself” must also be seen as a form of terror. “The situation cannot be solved by eliminating a group. The entire occupation and blockade system must be dismantled,” he said.
India’s historical ties and moral influence
Shawesh also praised India’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people, pointing out that solidarity continues across India—from Kerala to Delhi. He said India’s leadership in South Asia and the Global South gives it a moral responsibility to champion the Palestinian cause and guide reconstruction efforts.
The envoy further mentioned that the Palestinian leadership has condemned attacks on India in the past and has always stood in solidarity with Indian citizens. He cited a message of condolence sent by Palestinian authorities following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir as an example of this friendship.
Call for humanitarian action
Highlighting the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, Shawesh urged the international community, particularly India, to move beyond statements and take concrete action. “Gaza needs builders, not bombers,” he said, appealing for medical supplies, food aid, and long-term infrastructure support.
The envoy’s remarks come amid global appeals for an immediate ceasefire and large-scale humanitarian intervention in the Gaza Strip. He concluded by reaffirming his faith in India’s potential to “lead by example” and inspire other nations to contribute to peace and reconstruction in the region.