Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) today criticised India's abstention from voting at the UNHRC on a UN report critical of Israel's Gaza war last year.
"India's decision to abstain from voting on a resolution condemning Israel at the UN Human Rights Council for last year's Gaza offensive in the name of technical reasons is ridiculous and unacceptable," UML national president E Ahamed said in a statement here.
"It is being seen as a significant change in New Delhi's policy," said Ahamed, who is a former Minister of State for External Affairs.
Last Friday, the UNHRC adopted a resolution condemning Israel for its use of "huge firepower" against Gazans during its offensive last year in which 41 countries voted in favour of the resolution with only Israel's close ally US voting against. India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Macedonia abstained.
He said India has traditionally voted in favour of all anti-Israel resolutions at UN institutions.
"The present government cannot ignore India's traditional policy and perceptions towards Palestine and for the cause of Palestinian people and also the continuing support that we have given especially to the International bodies supporting Palestinian cause," he said.
IUML urged the government to take into account the sentiments of a large section of Indian people towards the cause of Palestine.
"While taking an unprecedented approach towards such a sensitive issue, the country should never forget the deep-rooted sentiments towards India and its people by the Arab all these decades," he said.
He said it is in the best interest that India should always keep in mind the unstinted support the people of Arab world shown towards our country.
"Any departure from the traditional policy of India towards Arab world, especially in respect of Palestine, will result in nothing but strong opposition and deep sentiments from the people of India," it said.
The 50-day Gaza war killed 1,462 civilians, and left 11,231 injured on the Palestinian side while six civilians died on the Israeli side.
