{"id":5153,"date":"2025-08-12T22:38:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T17:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5153"},"modified":"2025-08-12T23:02:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T17:32:58","slug":"karnatakas-congress-leaders-under-fire-for-collaborations-with-israeli-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=5153","title":{"rendered":"Open Letter to Priyanka Gandhi: Karnataka\u2019s Congress Leaders Under Fire for Collaborations with Israeli Officials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open Letter to Priyanka Gandhi<\/strong><\/span>
From Bengaluru for Justice and Peace<\/strong>
Date:<\/strong> 12 August 2025<\/h2>\n

What is the Subject?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The citizens\u2019 collective Bengaluru for Justice and Peace<\/em><\/strong><\/span> has written an open letter to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi,<\/span> urging the Indian National Congress to pass a resolution calling for a complete arms embargo on Israel. The group commended Gandhi\u2019s condemnation of Israel\u2019s killing of journalists in Gaza but criticised Congress leaders in Karnataka for fostering ties with Israeli officials and companies. The letter demands suspension of all Karnataka government collaborations with Israeli defence-linked entities<\/span> and a halt to India\u2019s arms exports to Israel.<\/p>\n

Subject:<\/strong> Congress Must Take a Decisive Stand \u2014 Call for an Arms Embargo on Israel<\/p>\n

Dear Ms. Priyanka Gandhi,<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

We, the members of Bengaluru for Justice and Peace<\/em>, appreciate your recent, unequivocal condemnation of the targeted assassination of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli airstrike near Gaza\u2019s Al Shifa Hospital. Your description of this atrocity as a \u201cheinous crime\u201d \u2014 coupled with your acknowledgement that the Israeli state is committing genocide and deliberately starving civilians \u2014 is both necessary and courageous, particularly at a time when the Government of India has failed to recognise these crimes.<\/p>\n

While your personal statements are commendable, we believe this is the moment to transform words into resolute political action. As the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress (INC), you are uniquely positioned to ensure your party adopts a principled, consistent, and unambiguous stand on this ongoing genocide.<\/p>\n

\"\"
“Priyanka Gandhi Condemns Israel\u2019s Atrocities, Affirms Support for Palestine”<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Concerns Over Congress\u2019s Engagement with Israel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Regrettably, evidence shows that some members of the INC have deepened ties with Israel even as its war crimes escalate. In Karnataka, where the INC governs, senior leaders \u2014 including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao \u2014 attended the Haifa Memorial Lectures<\/em> at IISc Bengaluru in September 2024, sharing a platform with Israeli officials and under the Israeli flag.<\/p>\n

Over the past two years, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar<\/span><\/strong> have frequently publicised collaborations with the Israeli Consulate \u2014 from joint venture companies to agribusiness partnerships. This normalisation of ties, amidst a genocide, runs counter to the values of justice, solidarity, and human rights that the Congress Party professes to uphold.<\/p>\n

As a Bengaluru-based collective, we have previously written to the INC regarding Karnataka\u2019s facilitation of the India-Israel Business Summit. Just last week, we also drew MPs\u2019 attention to nine Bengaluru-based companies supplying arms and components to Israel, including:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Ace Inotec Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Alpha Design Technologies Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Alpha-Elsec Aerospace Systems<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Amphenol Interconnect India Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Amphetronix Offset Interconnect Solutions Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    DCX Systems Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Defsys Solutions Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Indo-MIM Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    SASMOS HET Technologies Ltd. and Wave Mechanics Pvt. Ltd.<\/p>\n

    \"\"
    \u201cKarnataka leaders pose with Israeli officials while Gaza bleeds. Priyanka Gandhi, it\u2019s time for the Congress Party to choose justice over complicity. #StopGenocide\u201d<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    The Moral Imperative: Halting India\u2019s Arms Trade with Israel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    True solidarity demands more than statements of outrage. It requires concrete measures to dismantle the networks enabling Israel\u2019s war machine. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation in Palestine has documented in detail how Israel\u2019s occupation has become a live testing ground for arms manufacturers and tech firms \u2014 rendering those who supply weapons complicit in grave breaches of international law.<\/p>\n

    \"\"
    “Priyanka Gandhi Urged to Act (as She stands with Palestine) while Deputy CM DK Shivakumar\u2019s Ties with Israel Draw Fire”<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n

    Our Call to Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    We urge you, as General Secretary of the INC, to press your party to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Pass a formal resolution<\/strong> demanding a complete arms embargo on Israel, including a ban on the export and transit of all weapons, weapon components, and dual-use items \u2014 whether directly or through intermediaries.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Instruct the Karnataka State Government<\/strong> to review and suspend all government contracts, grants, and Production Linked Incentive schemes linked to Israeli defence companies, and to halt all exports of military equipment to Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \n

      India\u2019s historic commitment to the Palestinian cause demands that we stand firmly on the side of justice today. The Congress Party \u2014 with its legacy of anti-colonial struggle \u2014 must lead by example, rejecting complicity and championing peace.<\/p>\n

      We trust you will use your position to ensure the INC aligns its actions with its stated values, and that history will record your leadership at a critical juncture.<\/p>\n

      In solidarity,<\/strong>
      Aishwarya \u2013 9900047744
      Rohini \u2013 7406507140
      On behalf of Bengaluru for Justice and Peace<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n

      Context & Background<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
      • \n

        Trigger Event:<\/strong> On 12 August 2025, Priyanka Gandhi called the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza a \u201cheinous crime\u201d and acknowledged Israel\u2019s genocide.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Concerns Raised:<\/strong> Karnataka Congress leaders, including CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, have engaged in public collaborations with Israeli officials, even attending events hosted under the Israeli flag.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Arms Trade:<\/strong> Nine Bengaluru-based companies have been identified as supplying arms or components to Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        International Context:<\/strong> The UN Special Rapporteur has urged states and companies to end arms transfers to Israel, citing complicity in genocide and war crimes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Demands:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          INC must pass a resolution for a total arms embargo on Israel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        2. \n

          Karnataka must suspend all contracts, grants, and incentives linked to Israeli defence firms.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \n

          Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          From the Letter:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            \u201cYour words of condemnation must now be matched with decisive political action.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            \u201cKarnataka\u2019s active collaborations with Israeli officials and companies make a mockery of the party\u2019s professed commitment to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            \u201cFor solidarity to mean anything, India must end all arms trade with Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            \u201cHistory will record whether Congress chooses complicity or courage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Possible Public Quote from Bengaluru for Justice and Peace:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n

            \u201cWe welcome Priyanka Gandhi\u2019s acknowledgement of Israel\u2019s crimes, but the Congress Party\u2019s deeds must match its words. Karnataka cannot claim to stand for justice while hosting Israeli officials and facilitating arms trade.\u201d \u2014 Aishwarya, Bengaluru for Justice and Peace<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

            \n

            Q & A\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

            Q:<\/strong> Why address Priyanka Gandhi specifically?
            A:<\/strong> As General Secretary of the Congress Party and a vocal critic of Israel\u2019s war crimes, she has the influence to ensure the party takes an unambiguous stand and enacts concrete measures.<\/p>\n

            Q:<\/strong> What is the main demand?
            A:<\/strong> A complete arms embargo on Israel \u2014 halting the export and transit of weapons, components, and dual-use items \u2014 and suspension of Karnataka\u2019s defence-related ties with Israeli companies.<\/p>\n

            Q:<\/strong> Why target Karnataka\u2019s Congress government?
            A:<\/strong> While in power, it has hosted Israeli officials, participated in pro-Israel events, and fostered business collaborations with companies linked to Israel\u2019s arms industry.<\/p>\n

            Q:<\/strong> How does this connect to India\u2019s historical stance on Palestine?
            A:<\/strong> India has long supported Palestine\u2019s right to self-determination. Continuing arms trade with Israel undermines that legacy and risks complicity in genocide.<\/p>\n

            \n

            #BanArmsToIsrael #CongressStandForJustice #PriyankaGandhi #StopGenocide #PalestineSolidarity<\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n

            <\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Open Letter to Priyanka GandhiFrom Bengaluru for Justice and PeaceDate: 12 August 2025 What is the Subject? The citizens\u2019 collective Bengaluru for Justice and Peace has written an open letter to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, urging the Indian National Congress to pass a resolution calling for a complete arms embargo on Israel. The group commended […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5156,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[653,125,273,74,272,274,82],"class_list":["post-5153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-bengaluru-for-justice-and-peace","tag-dk-shivakumar","tag-israel","tag-karnataka","tag-palestine","tag-priyanka-gandhi","tag-siddaramaiah"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5153"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5163,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5153\/revisions\/5163"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}