Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanks Modi for India's vote against Palestinian group
Jerusalem, Jun 13: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for voting in favour of a decision introduced by the Jewish state that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian group at the UN's Economic and Social Council.
In a rare move, India on Tuesday voted in favour of Israel in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to deny the Palestinian non-governmental organisation 'Shahed' the observer status, after Israel said the organisation did not disclose its ties with Hamas.
Thank you @NarendraModi, thank you India, for your support and for standing with Israel at the UN, Netanyahu said in a tweet on Wednesday, almost a week after the June 6 vote.
It is the first time that India has voted on a resolution at the UN that is being perceived as pro-Israel.
India's position on the Middle East Peace Process has been consistent and clear. India supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and relevant UNSC Resolutions.
India has also always played a proactive role in garnering support for the Palestinian cause in multilateral fora.
New Delhi had abstained during a voting at the UNHRC in 2015 on a resolution related to violence in Gaza which was seen as a significant move in Israel and attributed by many to the emerging strong chemistry between Modi and Netanyahu .
India had then explained to the Palestinian Authority the reasons for its stand and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had "accepted and understood" why New Delhi abstained then.
The ECOSOC vote, which took place at the UN, saw countries such as the US, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UK, South Korea and Canada polling in favour of Israel, while China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and others voted against it.
The proposal made by the Palestinian NGO Shahed' to obtain observer status in the UN was rejected by a 28-14 vote.
Maya Kadosh, deputy chief of mission at the Israel embassy in India, on Tuesday in a Tweet thanked New Delhi "for standing with @IsraelinUN and rejecting the request of terrorist organization Shahed to obtain the status of an observer in #UN. Together we will continue to act against terrorist organizations that intend to harm.
Kadosh mentioned that the organisation has links with Hizbullah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad that was designated as terrorist organisation in 1997.
This is a good sign, India was the first country to support us amongst the Asia group, so we are very happy, she added.
A statement by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later said that Shahed' claims to be dealing with human rights and humanitarian issues, but in practice it is a terrorist organisation and operates as an arm of the Hamas terror organisation based in Lebanon.
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has been described as a terrorist organisation by many European countries.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Report on Sambhal mosque survey likely to be submitted to local court; security tight in district
Sambhal(UP) (PTI): Security was stepped up across the district ahead of Friday prayers and the likely submission of a report on the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid here by the court-appointed ASI team following claims that a temple once stood at the spot.
Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said security measures have been reinforced at sensitive religious sites in the area and around the court in Chandausi.
The lawyer for the Hindu side, Gopal Sharma, said the court hearing on Friday will see the plaintiff's side present their reply, and the court commissioner is expected to submit the findings from the survey conducted on the disputed site.
"Our further action will be determined after the survey report is reviewed," Sharma said.
Shakeel Ahmed Warsi, the lawyer representing the Muslim side, said they are fully prepared to present their case.
"We have all the necessary evidence, and we will first request a copy of the survey report before strongly presenting our side in court," Warsi stated.
Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and scores of others were injured in the violence.
The situation remains tense, and local authorities are closely monitoring the developments to maintain peace and order.
