Israel-Palestinian violence: India condemns in UN

India's envoy to the United Nations, TS Tirumurthy, has said after the Security Council meeting that India is concerned about the ongoing violence in Jerusalem and Gaza.

The Indian envoy said that "India condemns all forms of violence, appeals to end tension immediately".

Indian envoy Thirumurthy said, "India supports the legitimate demand of the Palestinians and is committed to a solution through a two-nation policy."

He said, "India condemns rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, as well as a large number of ordinary civilians, have been killed in Israeli retaliation, including women and children, which is very sad."

An Indian citizen also died

He said, "An Indian citizen has died in this attack, who was a hostess in Ashkelon, we are deeply saddened by his death."

This is the first time that India has openly expressed its view of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, before which no formal statement was issued by India.

The Indian envoy said that the immediate stress reduction is the need of the hour so that the situation does not deteriorate and get out of control.

Tirumurthy said, "Both sides should not act unilaterally and try to change the current status quo, this does not include any change in Jerusalem."

Respect for the historical status quo

He said that Jerusalem is the center of faith of millions of people, thousands of people from India come to Jerusalem because here is the cave in which the Sufi saint of India, Baba Farid used to meditate. India has protected this cave.

He said that "Historically the status quo at the religious places of Jerusalem should be respected, including the Haram Sharif and the Temple Mount."

He says that after the latest conflict, the need to resume dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian administration has increased further. "Due to no communication, there is a growing distrust between the two sides," he said.

He said that in the event of non-negotiation, such conflicts will happen in the future also, he stressed creating a positive atmosphere for dialogue.