In support of Hamas’s terrorist activities in Gaza, Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala has decided to observe “Palestine Day” every Friday in the state. Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala Amir, P Mujibur Rahman, announced this initiative on May 22. On these days, Jamaat members will gather in mosques under the pretext of offering special prayers for Palestinians.
CPI(M) & Jamaat Alliance in Making Amid Local-Legislative Assembly Elections
Just before Jamaat’s announcement, on May 21, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a statement criticising Israel. His remarks echoed the rhetoric of the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat, declaring, “All people who are not afraid of humanity should raise their voices together to put an end to the genocide being carried out by Israel.” He also repeated the misinformation circulated by Hamas, claiming, “Palestinians are suffering without essential goods, including food and medicine, due to the blockade imposed by Israel.” Furthermore, he called for “pressure on Israel.”
Following Jamaat’s announcement, the CPI(M) also came out strongly against Israel. Amplifying the Muslim Brotherhood’s slogan “Stop Gaza Genocide,” the party cited Hamas’s figures, claiming that 2,037 children had died in the past month and 53,384 Gazans have died since October 7, 2023.
India has not officially recognised the military campaign being conducted by Israel in Gaza as genocide. This raises a significant question: how can a Chief Minister, holding a constitutional post, adopt such a stance? There is growing concern that the CPI(M), a nationally recognised political party, is now aligning its campaign narrative with that of the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-e-Islami. With local body elections approaching in Kerala this year and the state assembly elections scheduled for next year, the CPI(M) appears to be pursuing this line to appease Kerala’s Sunni Muslim community. However, this political strategy could be detrimental to India’s national interests, especially considering Hamas and its financial-political supporter Turkey have repeatedly sided with Pakistan on issues like Kashmir and during Operation Sindoor.
Israel to Intensify Operation Gideon’s Chariots
Meanwhile, Israel has made it clear that Palestinians should leave Gaza. Israel’s military response to Hamas terrorism is intensifying. In this context, Jamaat-e-Islami’s alignment with the Kerala government in support of Gaza is notable. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Gaza, under the influence of Hamas terrorism, poses a grave threat to Israel’s security. He argues that Israel will only be secure when there is no aggression from Gaza and thus suggests relocating Palestinians to another part of the world. He has also announced that the Israeli Defence Forces’ (IDF) expanded ground operation in Gaza, named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, is being launched to “finish the war and the work” in Gaza.
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