India's Shifting Alliances: Palestinians Challenge Historical Narrative

India has undergone a dramatic shift in its foreign relations, moving from a staunch supporter of the Palestinian narrative to a key strategic ally of Israel. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has adopted a pragmatic, nationalistic approach, viewing Israel as a natural partner in areas including technology, critical infrastructure, and extensive security cooperation. This partnership has seen significant arms deals and joint development of military technologies, with major Indian corporations also involved in national projects, solidifying economic ties through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Amidst this strengthening Indo-Israeli relationship, Palestinian diplomacy and propaganda are expressing growing frustration. Unable to directly impede security or economic deals, they are attempting to undermine the moral and narrative basis of the alliance. The focal point of this effort is "Haifa Day," observed annually on September 23rd by the Indian military to commemorate the 1918 Battle of Haifa. In this battle, Indian cavalry units captured the city from the Ottoman Empire, marking the last successful cavalry charge in history.

Since 2010, "Haifa Day" has been jointly commemorated by Israeli and Indian diplomatic missions, with a central square in Delhi named after Haifa in 2018 to honor fallen Indian soldiers. However, the escalating ties between India and Israel have made this commemoration a point of contention for the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Ambassador to New Delhi, Abdalla Mohammed Abushawish, has launched a campaign questioning Israel's attempts to "rewrite, distort, and politicize the historical documentation of Palestine." He argues that framing the Battle of Haifa as part of a shared Israeli-Indian history is an attempt to create an artificial narrative, emphasizing that the Indian soldiers fought under British command.

India's current approach, under Modi, distinguishes between the actions of colonial regimes and the valor of soldiers. The establishment of a national war memorial and the renewed respect for the Indian-British army's contributions are part of a new national narrative emphasizing India's global strength and its historical role in shaping the modern world. The ambassador's letter also contends that India's historical ties are more aligned with Palestinians than with Israel, citing the presence of numerous Indian soldiers buried in cemeteries across Israel and Gaza. He views the emphasis on the Battle of Haifa as a desperate Israeli attempt to forge a baseless historical link, downplaying the broader sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the region.

The article suggests that India has moved beyond its previous stance of blindly supporting the Palestinian narrative and is no longer automatically opposing Israel at the UN. The Palestinian ambassador's complaints are seen as a reflection of deep frustration that Israel is succeeding on both the battlefield and in shaping the narrative, a success that contrasts with the Palestinian diplomatic efforts, which the author characterizes as manipulative and focused on victimhood.