THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will always stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan affirmed during a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, on Monday. The ambassador called on the chief minister at his official chamber in the Legislative Assembly complex here.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Vijayan reiterated the state’s long-held position, advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people. “Kerala stands firmly for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” Vijayan stated. He stressed that Israel, with the support of the United States, has consistently undermined international conventions to deny Palestine its democratic rights.
The chief minister emphasized the Left’s consistent stance that the United Nations and the international community must act urgently to establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN resolutions, to restore peace in West Asia.
Ambassador Shawesh briefed the chief minister on the ongoing challenges and the occupation faced by the Palestinian people. He expressed that Kerala’s support at this critical time is “reassuring and overwhelming” and of great significance. Shawesh added that Palestine hopes for more support from across the world and that people would “follow Kerala’s example”.
Following the meeting, Vijayan posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Reiterated Kerala’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and our demand for an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza. Kerala will always stand firm for justice for the people of Palestine”. The ambassador is on a three-day visit to Kerala organized by the Kerala Media Academy.
