India has asked Israel to immediately withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories and said Tel Aviv's military action against "innocent" civilians would in no way serve its best cause to provide security for its people.
"There is no justification for directing violence at civilians," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, A Gopinatha, said at the United Nations , intervening in the debate in Security Council on deteriorating situation in the region. Urging both Israelis and Palestinians to implement the Council resolutions, he said, "Israel must withdraw its forces from occupied territories immediately and there should be a ceasefire, followed by the resumption of negotiations." He also demanded lifting of restriction imposed by Israel on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat so that he could play his "rightful role" in the region.
Stressing that Arafat enjoys wide support and respect and is symbol of the Palestinian nationhood, Gopinathan said his well-being and safety are of concern to the international community. Bureau Report