Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh on Friday urged New Delhi to take a leading role in mediating the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, asserting that India is uniquely positioned to foster global peace. Speaking to ANI, the envoy emphasized India's geopolitical standing and its potential to restore stability in West Asia.
India's Pivotal Role in Global Peace
"India stands first and foremost. I believe India can play a pivotal role, certainly regarding the situation with Israel and in fostering global peace. Therefore, I hope India will stand firm and play a significant part. I am fully confident that India is capable of this and can make a meaningful contribution in this regard; at the very least, regarding our specific situation, India can once again play a crucial role," Abu Shawesh stated.
His comments come amid heightened tensions in the region following the death of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose state funeral ceremonies the Palestinian envoy attended. Abu Shawesh extended condolences for the loss of thousands of Iranian lives, calling it a tragic situation.
Skepticism Over Ceasefire Durability
When asked about a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran, the Palestinian diplomat expressed deep reservations about any ceasefire involving Israel. "All of us hope that stability will be maintained in the Middle East and will prevail across the globe as well. I am certain that Israel will leave no stone unturned to ensure that this war resumes very soon," he cautioned.
Abu Shawesh also highlighted the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, urging observers to examine the conflict through a broader historical lens. He referenced his newly circulated article, 'October 7: One Thousand Days Later', which uses the core journalistic queries—why, what, who, where, and when—to deconstruct the crisis.
Historical Context of the Conflict
The envoy sharply critiqued narratives that analyze the region solely through recent events, describing this as a flawed framework that acts "as if everything began on October 7 itself, as if nothing existed before it—no occupation, no bans, no annexation, and nothing after it should be considered." He stressed that the current phase of the war is an intensification of a crisis dating back to 1917 and 1948.
"In Gaza, a large majority of people are descendants of refugees, with many born in refugee camps, including myself... The situation has steadily deteriorated over decades, becoming worse and worse with time," he said, citing widespread starvation used as a weapon of war and the near-total collapse of daily living conditions.
Abu Shawesh also recalled the October 2023 incident when Israel killed over 500 Palestinians, urging remembrance of all lives lost—whether Israeli, Palestinian, Iranian, or anyone else. His remarks underscore the deep-rooted complexities of the conflict and the urgent need for international mediation, with India emerging as a key potential broker.
