The Israel and Palestine unrest on Monday claimed two more lives. As per Reuters, a Palestinian teen was killed in the West Bank during a military raid. The other casualty of the unrest was a 48-year-old woman&nbsp;—&nbsp;mother of two Israeli sisters who were killed last week when a suspected Palestinian gunman attacked the car they were in.

According to the Palestinian health ministry 15-year-old, Mohammad Balhan died from gunshot wounds. The teenager sustained gunshot wounds to his head, chest and abdomen during an Israeli raid near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mother-of-two-israeli-sisters-killed-in-west-bank-shooting-dies-581075">Mother of two Israeli sisters killed in West Bank shooting dies</a>

According to Reuters, the Israeli military in a statement said that its forces had gone to the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, next to Jericho, on a&nbsp;mission&nbsp;to apprehend Palestinians suspected to be involved in attacks against Israelis. The suspects reportedly opened fire and threw explosives during the raid, and the forces retaliated with live fire, hitting some of the suspects, but none of the soldiers were hurt.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, the Israeli military arrested at least two people in the raid.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the international community to make Israel answerable for its crimes.

"We urge the world to hold this (Israeli) government accountable for its crimes," he said at the start of the weekly government session.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahus-likud-party-likely-to-lose-more-than-a-third-of-its-seats-predicts-poll-581065">Netanyahu’s Likud party likely to lose more than a third of its seats, predicts poll</a>

48-year-old Lucy Dee, whose two daughters Maia and Rina Dee, 20 and 15, were killed on Friday, succumbed to her injuries as per hospital staff.&nbsp;

The latest casualties come as a poll by Channel 13 showed plummeting support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party amid a divisive plan to rein in the Supreme Court's powers. It showed that if elections were held now, the party could lose more than a third of its seats and that Netanyahu, his hard-right coalition partners, would fail to gain a majority.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Israel and Palestine unrest on Monday claimed two more lives. As per Reuters, a Palestinian teen was killed in the West Bank during a military raid. The other casualty of the unrest was a 48-year-old woman — mother of two Israeli sisters who were killed last week when a suspected Palestinian gunman attacked the car they were in.

The Israel and Palestine unrest on Monday claimed two more lives. As per Reuters, a Palestinian teen was killed in the West Bank during a military raid. The other casualty of the unrest was a 48-year-old woman — mother of two Israeli sisters who were killed last week when a suspected Palestinian gunman attacked the car they were in. According to the Palestinian health ministry 15-year-old, Mohammad Balhan died from gunshot wounds. The teenager sustained gunshot wounds to his head, chest and abdomen during an Israeli raid near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho. Also read | Mother of two Israeli sisters killed in West Bank shooting dies According to Reuters, the Israeli military in a statement said that its forces had gone to the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, next to Jericho, on a mission to apprehend Palestinians suspected to be involved in attacks against Israelis. The suspects reportedly opened fire and threw explosives during the raid, and the forces retaliated with live fire, hitting some of the suspects, but none of the soldiers were hurt. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, the Israeli military arrested at least two people in the raid. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the international community to make Israel answerable for its crimes. "We urge the world to hold this (Israeli) government accountable for its crimes," he said at the start of the weekly government session. Also read | Netanyahu’s Likud party likely to lose more than a third of its seats, predicts poll 48-year-old Lucy Dee, whose two daughters Maia and Rina Dee, 20 and 15, were killed on Friday, succumbed to her injuries as per hospital staff. The latest casualties come as a poll by Channel 13 showed plummeting support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party amid a divisive plan to rein in the Supreme Court's powers. It showed that if elections were held now, the party could lose more than a third of its seats and that Netanyahu, his hard-right coalition partners, would fail to gain a majority. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Palestine unrest claims two more lives; teenager and mother of two become the latest casualties

Retaliating to a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave towards its territory, Israel on Sunday reported that it had carried out overnight air strikes against sites of the Hamas in the Gaza strip.&nbsp;On Saturday, the Israeli army, as per AFP report,&nbsp;said that for the first in a month, a rocket had been fired from the Gaza strip towards Israel.

The Israeli army issued a statement claiming that "in response to the rocket fired toward Israeli territory, IDF fighter jets targeted overnight (Sunday) a weapons manufacturing site belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation."

According to the statement, the target was a location "where the majority of the organisation's rockets in the Gaza Strip are being manufactured."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-tensions-israel-drafts-panther-battalion-to-secure-west-bank-seam-line-539021">Palestine tensions: Israel drafts Panther battalion to secure West Bank seam line</a>

It said that the Israeli Defence Forces had also destroyed "a Hamas terrorist tunnel in the Southern Gaza Strip."

The attack comes following the killing of two of its commanders by Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Jenin on Thursday, the Islamic Jihad, one of Gaza's most powerful armed groups, had pledged to retaliate.

Hamas military wing said that&nbsp;during Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, anti-aircraft missiles were employed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hady-amr-says-us-is-committed-to-reopening-consulate-in-jerusalem-538912">Palestine tensions: Israel drafts Panther battalion to secure West Bank seam line</a>

According to an AFP report citing security sources in Gaza, two strikes were reportedly carried out in the south of the enclave, one targeting a military training facility near Khan Younis and the other in an unoccupied area close to Rafah.

Palestinian medical sources report no injuries, however, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said, "The Zionist enemy is extending its aggression against our people by brutally bombarding the Gaza Strip, following its crime yesterday of executing the martyr Ammar Mufleh in Huwara."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Retaliating to a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave towards its territory, Israel on Sunday reported that it had carried out overnight air strikes against sites of the Hamas in the Gaza strip.

Retaliating to a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave towards its territory, Israel on Sunday reported that it had carried out overnight air strikes against sites of the Hamas in the Gaza strip. On Saturday, the Israeli army, as per AFP report, said that for the first in a month, a rocket had been fired from the Gaza strip towards Israel. The Israeli army issued a statement claiming that "in response to the rocket fired toward Israeli territory, IDF fighter jets targeted overnight (Sunday) a weapons manufacturing site belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation." According to the statement, the target was a location "where the majority of the organisation's rockets in the Gaza Strip are being manufactured." Also read | Palestine tensions: Israel drafts Panther battalion to secure West Bank seam line It said that the Israeli Defence Forces had also destroyed "a Hamas terrorist tunnel in the Southern Gaza Strip." The attack comes following the killing of two of its commanders by Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Jenin on Thursday, the Islamic Jihad, one of Gaza's most powerful armed groups, had pledged to retaliate. Hamas military wing said that during Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, anti-aircraft missiles were employed. Also read | Palestine tensions: Israel drafts Panther battalion to secure West Bank seam line According to an AFP report citing security sources in Gaza, two strikes were reportedly carried out in the south of the enclave, one targeting a military training facility near Khan Younis and the other in an unoccupied area close to Rafah. Palestinian medical sources report no injuries, however, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said, "The Zionist enemy is extending its aggression against our people by brutally bombarding the Gaza Strip, following its crime yesterday of executing the martyr Ammar Mufleh in Huwara." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel retaliates, carries out overnight air strikes against Hamas in Gaza Strip

The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;

According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property."

The state has previously designated six of them as "terrorist organisations" and is accusing them of channelling aid to militant groups, reports Reuters.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Palestine President compares Israeli action to holocaust

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On Wednesday, the designation was ratified for three of them despite opposition from the UN and human rights organisations. The UN demanded that the designations be withdrawn.

United Nations' Human Rights Office has issued a statement calling the closures "arbitrary" and saying that "despite offers to do so, Israeli authorities have not presented to the United Nations any credible evidence to justify these declarations."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seven-injured-two-seriously-in-a-terror-attack-on-jerusalem-bus-506639">Seven injured, two grievously, in a 'terror attack' on Jerusalem bus</a>

The Israeli military claims that the groups were used as a front&nbsp;by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reaffirmed Israel's assertion that the groups had acted covertly to support the PFLP, which has carried out deadly assaults against Israelis and is regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU.

According to Gantz, "They also assist in raising funds for the terrorist organisation via a variety of methods that include forgery and fraud."

While nine European Union nations, said they will continue cooperating with the groups due to insufficient proof to support Israel's accusation, the US has reportedly requested more information on the factors contributing to the decision to shut down the groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-indias-envoy-ruchira-kamboj-calls-israel-gaza-conflict-matter-of-grave-concern-505070">At UNSC, India's envoy Ruchira Kamboj calls Israel-Gaza conflict 'matter of grave concern'</a>

Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, said, "We will review what is provided to us and come to our own conclusion.

As per Reuters, the groups are: The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association; Al Haq; Bisan Center for Research and Development; Defense for Children International – Palestine; Health Work Committees (HWC); Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees (UPWC).

(With inputs from agencies)

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The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday. According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property.

The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday. According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property." The state has previously designated six of them as "terrorist organisations" and is accusing them of channelling aid to militant groups, reports Reuters. Watch | Gravitas: Palestine President compares Israeli action to holocaust On Wednesday, the designation was ratified for three of them despite opposition from the UN and human rights organisations. The UN demanded that the designations be withdrawn. United Nations' Human Rights Office has issued a statement calling the closures "arbitrary" and saying that "despite offers to do so, Israeli authorities have not presented to the United Nations any credible evidence to justify these declarations." Also read | Seven injured, two grievously, in a 'terror attack' on Jerusalem bus The Israeli military claims that the groups were used as a front by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reaffirmed Israel's assertion that the groups had acted covertly to support the PFLP, which has carried out deadly assaults against Israelis and is regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU. According to Gantz, "They also assist in raising funds for the terrorist organisation via a variety of methods that include forgery and fraud." While nine European Union nations, said they will continue cooperating with the groups due to insufficient proof to support Israel's accusation, the US has reportedly requested more information on the factors contributing to the decision to shut down the groups. Also read | At UNSC, India's envoy Ruchira Kamboj calls Israel-Gaza conflict 'matter of grave concern' Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, said, "We will review what is provided to us and come to our own conclusion. As per Reuters, the groups are: The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association; Al Haq; Bisan Center for Research and Development; Defense for Children International – Palestine; Health Work Committees (HWC); Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees (UPWC). (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel raids Palestinian NGOs, labelling them 'terrorist organisations'; UN calls action 'arbitrary'

In the Abraham Accords brokered by the US under former president Donald Trump, Israel established relations with UAE and Bahrain, its first such agreements in the Arab world since its peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

The Palestinians condemned the agreements as a "stab in the back". They regarded these deals as a betrayal, maintaining that Arab states should isolate Israel until the people living in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have their own independent state.

Former White House Middle East envoy&nbsp;Jason D&nbsp;Greenblatt said on Wednesday that the peace deals were ''build on the success and the work of others who strived hard for them.''

Speaking at the&nbsp;WION Global summit in Dubai on Wednesday, he said that ''we&nbsp;decided to move away from phrases like two-state solutions which meant different things to different people. Our purpose was to re-educate the people about the conflict.''

Greenblatt said that under the&nbsp;strong leadership of Trump, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Sayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, King of Bahrain and Morocco realised that ''people were tired of conflict and wanted to move on.''

''The results speak for themselves,'' he added.

Asked what he thought Trump's team did differently from others,&nbsp;Greenblatt said, ''We spoke openly and honestly. There was no leader who wanted to speak otherwise. We were very clear with the leadership in the region.''

Praising Trump,&nbsp;Greenblatt said everyone may not agree to his manner of speaking, but speaking directly is key to solving issues.

''We raised the tough issues and ripped the band-aid off over the wounds and&nbsp;tried to clean them.''

''We were able to make progress. However, we are not able to solve all issues. The Israel-Palestine issue is still brewing. It may brew for a very long time. It is not yet ripe for solving,'' said&nbsp;Greenblatt.

The peace deals proved that Israel-Palestine conflict and Israel-Arab conflict, though intricately tied together, can indeed be separately solved, he said. "That's essential for the region, given all the other conflicts in the world. It only helped with the COVID situation and it will lead to a better future.''

In the Abraham Accords brokered by the US under former president Donald Trump, Israel established relations with UAE and Bahrain, its first such agreements in the Arab world since its peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

In the Abraham Accords brokered by the US under former president Donald Trump, Israel established relations with UAE and Bahrain, its first such agreements in the Arab world since its peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. The Palestinians condemned the agreements as a "stab in the back". They regarded these deals as a betrayal, maintaining that Arab states should isolate Israel until the people living in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have their own independent state. Former White House Middle East envoy Jason D Greenblatt said on Wednesday that the peace deals were ''build on the success and the work of others who strived hard for them.'' Speaking at the WION Global summit in Dubai on Wednesday, he said that ''we decided to move away from phrases like two-state solutions which meant different things to different people. Our purpose was to re-educate the people about the conflict.'' Greenblatt said that under the strong leadership of Trump, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Sayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, King of Bahrain and Morocco realised that ''people were tired of conflict and wanted to move on.'' ''The results speak for themselves,'' he added. Asked what he thought Trump's team did differently from others, Greenblatt said, ''We spoke openly and honestly. There was no leader who wanted to speak otherwise. We were very clear with the leadership in the region.'' Praising Trump, Greenblatt said everyone may not agree to his manner of speaking, but speaking directly is key to solving issues. ''We raised the tough issues and ripped the band-aid off over the wounds and tried to clean them.'' ''We were able to make progress. However, we are not able to solve all issues. The Israel-Palestine issue is still brewing. It may brew for a very long time. It is not yet ripe for solving,'' said Greenblatt. The peace deals proved that Israel-Palestine conflict and Israel-Arab conflict, though intricately tied together, can indeed be separately solved, he said. "That's essential for the region, given all the other conflicts in the world. It only helped with the COVID situation and it will lead to a better future.''

Israel-Palestine issue may brew for long time, says Former White House Middle East envoy

Jordan`s King Abdullah II on Monday urged the international community to &quot;fulfil its responsibilities&quot; towards Palestinians in Jerusalem and support the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

His comments, following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, came after US President Donald Trump sparked Arab and Muslim outrage by recognising Jerusalem as Israel`s capital and suspended funds to UNRWA.

&quot;The international community must fulfil its responsibilities to protect the rights of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem,&quot; Abdullah said, according to a palace statement.

The city is &quot;the key to achieving peace and stability in the region,&quot; he said.

East Jerusalem was under Jordanian adminstration before Israel occupied it during the 1967 Six-Day War.&nbsp;

Israel, which signed a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994, recognises the kingdom`s status as custodian of the city`s holy sites.

Jordan in December called Trump`s move &quot;a violation of decisions of international law and the United Nations charter&quot;.

The Jordanian monarch also on Monday urged the international community to support the UN agency for Palestinians.

Earlier this month, the United States put on hold two planned payments of more than $100 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The agency, set up after the 1948 creation of Israel that drove huge numbers of Palestinians from their homes, faces what the UN has described as the &quot;most severe&quot; crisis in its history.

'The international community must fulfil its responsibilities to protect the rights of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem,' Abdullah said, according to a palace statement

Jordan`s King Abdullah II on Monday urged the international community to "fulfil its responsibilities" towards Palestinians in Jerusalem and support the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. His comments, following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, came after US President Donald Trump sparked Arab and Muslim outrage by recognising Jerusalem as Israel`s capital and suspended funds to UNRWA. "The international community must fulfil its responsibilities to protect the rights of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem," Abdullah said, according to a palace statement. The city is "the key to achieving peace and stability in the region," he said. East Jerusalem was under Jordanian adminstration before Israel occupied it during the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel, which signed a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994, recognises the kingdom`s status as custodian of the city`s holy sites. Jordan in December called Trump`s move "a violation of decisions of international law and the United Nations charter". The Jordanian monarch also on Monday urged the international community to support the UN agency for Palestinians. Earlier this month, the United States put on hold two planned payments of more than $100 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The agency, set up after the 1948 creation of Israel that drove huge numbers of Palestinians from their homes, faces what the UN has described as the "most severe" crisis in its history.

Jordan king urges world to back Palestinian rights

When it comes to diplomatic ambiguity, India has taken the cake on Jerusalem. Consider the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs -&nbsp;

&quot;India&#39;s position on Palestine is independent and consistent. It is shaped by our views and interests, and not determined by any third country&quot;

What does it tell you about India&#39;s position on Jerusalem? That the position remains what the last official submission said? Or that we have a position but we won&#39;t share it? Or that we&#39;ve spoken because we had to, but we&#39;d rather pretend what&#39;s happening isn&#39;t happening. To put it mildly, it&#39;s unbecoming for a country that hopes to secure a seat at the global high table. Jerusalem is the biggest point of debate in geopolitics today. To dither on it is to squander diplomatic capital.

The crisis should, instead, be made the most of. It&#39;s an opportunity for New Delhi. While Washington has undermined its role as a fair mediator, other players are jumping in. Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin, after having played a decisive role in Syria and touring Turkey and Egypt, is being seen as a strong contender willing to get his hands dirty. He is emerging as the strongest outsider in this region with a finger in every pie.

China, earlier this year, sought to play a more prominent role in the region by issuing a four-point proposal on the Palestine conflict. President Xi Jinping offered to invest in industrial parks and solar power plants in Palestine. China already has substantial investments in Israel and would have been a defence partner too, had it not been for American roadblocks. Beijing also came up with a strongly worded response to Trump&#39;s decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel, saying it will potentially flare up regional tensions. It is taking a stand.

France&#39;s Macron has been showing increasing interest in West Asia. He visited Saudi Arabia and invited Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri to his country. He told Israeli PM Netanyahu that Trump&#39;s moves are a threat to regional stability. Even Singapore has spoken out against unilateral decisions that might impede the peace process.

India, in contrast, remains conspicuous by its vague response. It&#39;s a pity because India is also the best poised to play a more substantial role. The Palestinians trust India, the first non-Arab country to have recognised the PLO&#39;s authority as &quot;the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.&quot; Isreal calls India a strategic partner and a lot of other things that made headlines this summer when Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Tel Aviv.

The bilateral defence cooperation is worth billions&nbsp;and growing. India has no political stakes in the region and can leverage its good offices with both sides. It is seen favourably by the Arab players and has ties with Iran. In short, it is a neutral player with an international stature and a reputation for being a responsible state.

The current regime in New Delhi made a lot of fuss and lofty pronouncements on doing away with hypocrisy on the Israel-Palestine issue. The Prime Minister then walked the talk by skipping a visit to Ramallah when he went to Israel. It&#39;s time to demonstrate the same position of strength by offering to resuscitate the peace process.

Fears of such a move opening the Pandora&#39;s box on Kashmir are unfounded. Kashmir is not Jerusalem. The conflict is different. The dynamics are different. India has stood firm on the contention that this is a bilateral issue and rightly refused all offers of international mediation. The West Asian players have taken no such position.

India has successfully played a constructive role in the Afghan situation. It is seen as a reliable force in rebuilding the country. It is training the military and police force. It whittled away the chance it had in Myanmar by again taking a myopic view of the Rohingya crisis. Delhi shouldn&#39;t repeat the mistake in Jerusalem. To be recognised as a global leader, it has to demonstrate leadership and the willingness to deal with sticky affairs.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

The current regime in New Delhi made a lot of fuss and lofty pronouncements on doing away with hypocrisy on the Israel-Palestine issue

When it comes to diplomatic ambiguity, India has taken the cake on Jerusalem. Consider the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs - "India's position on Palestine is independent and consistent. It is shaped by our views and interests, and not determined by any third country" What does it tell you about India's position on Jerusalem? That the position remains what the last official submission said? Or that we have a position but we won't share it? Or that we've spoken because we had to, but we'd rather pretend what's happening isn't happening. To put it mildly, it's unbecoming for a country that hopes to secure a seat at the global high table. Jerusalem is the biggest point of debate in geopolitics today. To dither on it is to squander diplomatic capital. The crisis should, instead, be made the most of. It's an opportunity for New Delhi. While Washington has undermined its role as a fair mediator, other players are jumping in. Russia's Vladimir Putin, after having played a decisive role in Syria and touring Turkey and Egypt, is being seen as a strong contender willing to get his hands dirty. He is emerging as the strongest outsider in this region with a finger in every pie. China, earlier this year, sought to play a more prominent role in the region by issuing a four-point proposal on the Palestine conflict. President Xi Jinping offered to invest in industrial parks and solar power plants in Palestine. China already has substantial investments in Israel and would have been a defence partner too, had it not been for American roadblocks. Beijing also came up with a strongly worded response to Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel, saying it will potentially flare up regional tensions. It is taking a stand. France's Macron has been showing increasing interest in West Asia. He visited Saudi Arabia and invited Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri to his country. He told Israeli PM Netanyahu that Trump's moves are a threat to regional stability. Even Singapore has spoken out against unilateral decisions that might impede the peace process. India, in contrast, remains conspicuous by its vague response. It's a pity because India is also the best poised to play a more substantial role. The Palestinians trust India, the first non-Arab country to have recognised the PLO's authority as "the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people." Isreal calls India a strategic partner and a lot of other things that made headlines this summer when Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Tel Aviv. The bilateral defence cooperation is worth billions and growing. India has no political stakes in the region and can leverage its good offices with both sides. It is seen favourably by the Arab players and has ties with Iran. In short, it is a neutral player with an international stature and a reputation for being a responsible state. The current regime in New Delhi made a lot of fuss and lofty pronouncements on doing away with hypocrisy on the Israel-Palestine issue. The Prime Minister then walked the talk by skipping a visit to Ramallah when he went to Israel. It's time to demonstrate the same position of strength by offering to resuscitate the peace process. Fears of such a move opening the Pandora's box on Kashmir are unfounded. Kashmir is not Jerusalem. The conflict is different. The dynamics are different. India has stood firm on the contention that this is a bilateral issue and rightly refused all offers of international mediation. The West Asian players have taken no such position. India has successfully played a constructive role in the Afghan situation. It is seen as a reliable force in rebuilding the country. It is training the military and police force. It whittled away the chance it had in Myanmar by again taking a myopic view of the Rohingya crisis. Delhi shouldn't repeat the mistake in Jerusalem. To be recognised as a global leader, it has to demonstrate leadership and the willingness to deal with sticky affairs. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: India and the Jerusalem crisis, silence isn't always gold

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