We’re ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course: Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar
New Delhi (PTI): As the West Asia conflict entered its 17th day, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday said “we are ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course”.
Interacting with reporters here, Azar also said that in the last few days, Israel consulted “diplomatic channels”, including its partners the US and countries in the region.
“We are always for diplomacy. Unfortunately, we exhausted diplomacy to the extent that we had to take military action. We hope that diplomacy will be relevant again as a result of our military action,” he said.
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The Israeli envoy said that in the past few days, Israel consulted “diplomatic channels”, including its partners the US as well as the countries in the region, and a few other nations with which it doesn't have a diplomatic relationship.
Azar also said that through military action, “we've managed to degrade Iran's launching capabilities” to a large extent.
“Right now, we are controlling the skies of Iran,” Azar told reporters, adding, “They are in dire straits.”
The future will be "brighter" if Iran decides to "change course" and recognises Israel, he added.
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Congress leader Venugopal urges LS Speaker Birla to revoke suspension of 8 opposition MPs
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader K C Venugopal urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to revoke the suspension of eight opposition members, saying they were suspended "unfairly".
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Venugopal said Parliament has seen countless protests but suspending MPs is a "disturbing new trend" that cannot be allowed to continue.
Birla said a decision of the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed on the floor of the House and disallowed Venugopal to speak further.
Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader said he had raised concern over the "unfair suspension of 8 Opposition MPs for this Session".
"Rose in the Lok Sabha to raise concern over the unfair suspension of 8 Opposition MPs for this Session. Parliament has seen countless protests but the suspension of MPs is a disturbing new trend, which cannot be allowed to continue. This suspension should be revoked immediately," he said.
The eight opposition members were suspended during the first part of the Budget Session for "unruly" behaviour. They were suspended for the entire session.
The suspended members are Gurjeet Singh Auja, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole, Dean Kuriakose (all from the Congress) and S Ventakesan (CPI-M).
The suspended MPs have been protesting against the government on various issues while sitting on the steps of Parliament's Makar Dwar. Several opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have joined them from time to time.
