Sushma Swaraj Says India Won't Take Sides As Gaza Toll Rises To 518

Noting that relations with Israel had improved over the last few years while India maintained strong support to the Palestine cause, Sushma said "There is no change in this policy in Narendra Modi's government nor during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time. NDA was for 5 years while Congress for 10 years. Even the coalition governments followed the same policy."

Taking the attack to the Congress camp, Sushma Swaraj said India had established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 during the PV Narasimha Rao government. While deftly opposing any resolution as demanded by the opposition, she said "You are asking for a resolution. But does the rule under which the discussion is taking place provide for any resolution? It does not provide for any resolution, motion or voting."

To justify her contention, she cited a ruling by chairman Hamid Ansari. Kurien also went by her contention.

"So what should be done? There should be one joint message that wherever there is violence, it should be condemned. We should tell both the nations — Israel and Palestine — to accept Egypt's offer of talks. The same message should go from this House, the government and the entire nation," the minister said.