Amidst the growing concern of the Muslim community over the bloodbath in Gaza,Indian Union Muslim League (IUML),an ally of the Congress-led UPA,has asked the Centre to sever all ties with Israel. The party is represented in the Union Cabinet by E Ahamed,Minister of State for External Affairs. IUML state president Panakkad Muhammedali Shihab Thangal said no civilised country could support Israel,which was engaged in a killing spree in Gaza. The hardships being faced by the Palestinian people can not be stomached by a civilised society. Being a country which has always stood for peace,India should snap all ties with Israel, he said. Israel is a dagger thrust into the heart of Muslim nations. India has had good relations with Palestine since the days of Nehru. Against the backdrop of the Israeli attack,India should refurbish its old bonhomie with Palestine and cut ties with Israel. IUML would observe January 9 as Palestine solidarity day, he said. In fact,IUML is in a fix over tackling the growing anti-Israel sentiments among Keralas Muslims. Being an ally of the Congress-led Government,IUML cannot make an open attack on the Centre. At the same time,the party cannot let other Muslim organisations and Left parties take advantage of its limitations in addressing the issue. This predicament was clear when Ahamed addressed a party meeting in Kozhikode on Monday to pledge solidarity with Palestine. Ahamed,in his speech,did not find fault with Indias approach towards Israel. Instead,he blamed the US for supporting Israel for the massacre. The US should correct Israel, he said. All Muslim organisations in the state have stepped up their campaign against Israel and Indias ties with it. For the CPI(M),the Gaza war is another chance to cash in on the anti-imperialistic feelings of the Muslims and expose the Leagues weakness for power. League state secretary E T Muhammed Basheer told The Indian Express that there was no double-standard in his partys approach towards Israel-India ties. League sees Congress as the only party that minorities can repose faith on. The third front is only a mirage.
