The Indian National Congress has consistently expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause throughout its history. Recently, Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have publicly reiterated their support for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The party’s historical connection to Palestinian aspirations is underscored by the Nehru-Gandhi family’s relationship with former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Arafat attended Rajiv Gandhi’s funeral, and Sonia Gandhi met him multiple times after entering politics.
Following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel by Hamas, the Congress initially adopted a cautious approach, refraining from explicitly naming Hamas or classifying the events as “terror.” This stance prompted internal discussions, including a call from party leader Shashi Tharoor during a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on October 9, 2023, for the resolution to condemn Hamas by name and use the term “terror.”
In October 2023, Sonia Gandhi published an article in which she critically assessed Israel’s military response to the Hamas attacks.
Source: indianexpress.com