JD(U) Leader Joins Opposition in Urging Halt to Arms Supply to Israel

A senior Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) leader has aligned with Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in calling on the Indian government to cease arms and ammunition supplies to Israel, following its invasion of Gaza after last October’s attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This move could strain relations between the BJP-led NDA government and its key allies.

The statement emerged after a meeting in New Delhi with Mohammed Makram Balawi, Secretary General of the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds. The meeting, organized by JD(U) general secretary K.C. Tyagi and SP Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali Khan, addressed allegations of Israel’s violations of international law. The statement condemns what it describes as “Zionist aggression” and “heinous genocide” against Palestinians, asserting that India “cannot be complicit” in these actions.

Signatories of the statement include SP Lok Sabha MP Mohibullah Nadvi, former Rashtrawadi Samaj Party president Mohammed Adeeb, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, AAP MLA Pankaj Pushkar, Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal, and former Congress Lok Sabha MP Kunwar Danish Ali. They call for the Indian government and the international community to act swiftly to enforce UNSC resolutions and seek peace and justice for Palestinians.

The Congress’s involvement is notable, especially in light of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s vocal criticism of the Israeli government. Gandhi has framed the conflict as “barbarism vs. civilization” and condemned the violence in Gaza as a grave violation of international law. Her statements highlight a shift from the Congress’s historically measured stance on the Israel-Palestine issue.

The BJP, defending its position, has emphasized that India’s stance on the conflict remains “steadfast and consistent,” and has criticized opposition parties for allegedly siding with terror. The Indian government has previously abstained from UN votes related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, while continuing to advocate for respect for international humanitarian law.

JD(U) general secretary K.C. Tyagi reiterated the party’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, referencing past support from Indian governments, including that of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.