India also underscored the need for immediate resumption of dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian authoritities

India has called for the immediate de-escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and underscored the need for immediate resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestinian authorities.

India's stand was articulated at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Sunday by Ambassador TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.

Speaking during the UNSC Open VTC (Video Tele Conference) on ‘the situation in the Middle East’, Tirumurti referred to the continuing violence which began in East Jerusalem a week back and was now threatening to spiral out of control.

India condemned the rocket firings from Gaza targeting civilian population in Israel.
“The indiscriminate rocket firings from Gaza targeting the civilian population in Israel, which we condemn, and the retaliatory strikes into Gaza, have caused immense suffering and resulted in deaths, including women and children,” the statement said.

Reiterating New Delhi’s strong condemnation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction, Ambassador Tirumurti in his statement said India had also lost one of her nationals living in Israel in this rocket fire – a caregiver in Ashkelon.

“We deeply mourn her demise along with all other civilians who have lost their lives in the current cycle of violence. We reiterate our strong condemnation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction,” it added.

Calling for an immediate de-escalation to arrest any further slide towards the brink, India urged both sides to show extreme restraint, desist from actions that exacerbate tensions, and refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status-quo, including in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, noted the statement.

“We support the diplomatic efforts of the Quartet and other members of the international community, the countries in the region in particular, to calm the situation and put an end to the ongoing violence and seek to achieve durable peace,” it explained.

India’s statement at UNSC held that these incidents have once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestinian authorities.

“The absence of direct and meaningful negotiations between the parties is widening the trust deficit between the parties. This will only increase the chances for similar escalation in future. We believe that every effort should be made to create conducive conditions for resumption of talks between Israel and Palestine,” it added.