CPM slams Israel, wants Centre to follow suit

The CPI(M), at its congress today, adopted a resolution condemning ‘‘Israel’s brutal occupation since 1967 of Palestinian ter...

The CPI(M), at its congress today, adopted a resolution condemning ‘‘Israel’s brutal occupation since 1967 of Palestinian territories’’ and demanded that the Indian ‘‘government ceases its military cooperation with and all military procurement from Israel’’.

The resolution was moved by none other than West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. The party probably wanted to dispel majority opinion outside Left circles that Bhattacharjee is not exactly a hardliner and is charting out a pragmatic economic course in his home state. The resolution was seconded by senior Kerala-based leader M.A. Baby.

That apart, the resolution was worded very harshly, especially in respect of the demand being placed before the Indian government. ‘‘It (the Indian government) cannot pay lip service to the Palestinian cause and yet continue to forge military ties with Israel,’’ it said. The CPI(M) insisted that India return to a policy of genuine non-alignment and play its due international role in taking up the illegal occupation of Palestine.

The CPI(M) went to the extent of insisting, ‘‘Unless Israel vacates this illegal occupation, India must also demand sanctions on Israel in all international fora.’’ In fact, senior Politburo member Prakash Karat told reporters that the party wanted the UPA government to completely reverse a policy shift that had been introduced by the BJP in this respect.