Mahatma Gandhi, known for his principles of non-violence and peaceful co-existence, had long been opposed to the idea of a Jewish nation-state in Palestine. This has come to public attention recently due to the ongoing conflict and tensions between Israel and Palestine.
The Predicament of Jews in 1930-1940
In the 1930s and 40s, Jewish people in Europe were subjected to extreme persecution and discrimination, particularly under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. The Nazis implemented the systematic extermination of Jews, known as the Holocaust, resulting in approximately six million Jewish fatalities. Additionally, horrific atrocities such as concentration camps and mass deportations pervaded these dark times.
Gandhi’s Empathy for Jewish Suffering
Gandhi demonstrated immense empathy towards Jews, who had been historically persecuted for their religious beliefs. He drew parallels between European Jews and India’s untouchables, focusing on the cruel treatment inflicted on both these communities. Deeply disturbed by Germany’s persecution of Jews, Gandhi believed even a war against Germany would be justified to prevent it.
Objective of the Zionist Movement
The Zionist movement, which emerged in the late 19th century, aimed at establishing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine. The movement garnered considerable momentum following World War I, spurred further by the Balfour Declaration of 1917, expressing support for a Jewish national home in Palestine. The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947 following World War II, dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem serving as an international city. While Jewish leaders accepted this, Arab leaders rejected it, instigating violence. On May 14, 1948, Israel officially declared independence.
The Reason Behind Gandhi’s Opposition
Gandhi strongly opposed a Jewish nation-state in Palestine, considering it as unjust and inhumane. He maintained that displacing the Arab native population for the establishment of a Jewish homeland was a crime against humanity. In his view, Jews could settle in Palestine only with Arab goodwill, and they had to “forgo the British bayonet”. He held the opinion that religious occurrences, such as Jews returning to Palestine, should not be enforced by arms but should materialize with Arab goodwill.
How Gandhi’s Stance Shaped India’s Israel-Palestine Policy
Gandhi’s ideologies and anti-imperialism deeply influenced Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, thus shaping the emerging nation’s foreign policy for years, resulting in India’s vote against UN Resolution 181 partitioning Palestine. Although India recognized Israel in 1950, official diplomatic relations were only established in 1992, during the tenure of Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao. India was also one of the first non-Arab states to acknowledge the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of Palestine. India recognized Palestine as a state in 1988.
Over time, India’s policy has evolved to reflect its strategic and economic interests. Recently, India has adopted a de-hyphenation policy, striking a balance between its relationships with Israel and Palestine, supporting a Two-State Solution and the right to self-determination for both nations in a peaceful manner.
UPSC Civil Services Examination
India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is a prominent theme in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Questions are often asked about diplomatic relations, peace initiatives, and the “two-state solution”. Additionally, these examinations have previously included questions discussing Israel’s influence on India’s international relations and the implications of political decisions on organizations like UNESCO.