File photo of Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh. | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Palestinian ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, has strongly criticized the growing reliance on military force in international disputes, calling it the “law of the jungle” that benefits only those with better weapons while depriving defenseless nations of any viable future.
In an exclusive interview with PTI on Tuesday (March 2, 2026), Mr. Abu Shawesh expressed deep concern over statements by major powers that suggested the window for negotiations had closed.
“When someone talks about the time for negotiations being over, it means they will rely on muscle and weapons. This is completely against international law,” he said.
He criticized the reliance on military force, describing it as the “law of the jungle” that favors those with better weapons and leaves defenseless nations, especially in the Global South, without a future.
The ambassador pointed out that Israel had opportunities early in the Gaza conflict to secure the release of the hostages without widespread destruction, but opted for a longer military action.
“The Iran-US war will affect not only the Palestinians in the long run, but everyone in the whole world. But when it comes to the Palestinian issue, of course, all eyes are now watching what is happening between Iran, the United States and Israel. Everyone is turning their backs, or half-backs, on the Palestinian issue,” said Mr. Abu Shawesh.
He described Israel’s military operation in Gaza, now well over 880 days since its intensification, as a “devastating genocidal war” that continues unabated, with limited international scrutiny.
More forms
Regarding groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah that receive Iranian support, the ambassador clarified that resistance to the Israeli occupation takes many forms.
“Every Palestinian will not accept the Israeli occupation. There are many methods of resistance. Some are military, which Hamas talks about, and we do not agree with them. There is a diplomatic method or the Gandhian method of peaceful resistance,” he explained.
As for Gaza’s immediate future, Mr. Abu Shawesh accused Israel of accelerating measures to make life uninhabitable, including a financial stranglehold aimed at bankrupting the Palestinian Authority and dismantling its institutions.
“Israel is already accelerating its operations. Every day they are taking tens of hundreds of measures against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to make our life lifeless and force us to leave our homeland,” he said.
With historical ties to the Palestinian cause and balanced relations in West Asia, India continues to push for dialogue and a two-state solution amid unfolding crises.
Published – March 4, 2026 10:35 PM IST
