For the first time ever, India voted last week with Israel at the United Nations against granting observer status to a Palestinian human-rights organization.
The motion at the UN Economic and Social Council was rejected by a 28-14 tally.
"Thank you #India for standing with @IsraelinUN and rejecting the request of terrorist organization "Shahed" to obtain the status of an observer in #UN. Together we will continue to act against terrorist organizations that intend to harm," Maya Kadosh, deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in India, wrote on Twitter.
Kadosh told Indian news site ThePrint that Shahed is connected to terrorist groups Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
"This is a good sign. … India was the first country to support us amongst the Asia group, so we are very happy," she said.
"This is a truly historic vote. By taking a principled stand at the United Nations, India has finally broken a voting pattern reminiscent of the Cold War era," Vijeta Uniyal, founder of Indians for Israel, said.
"In my opinion, the position taken today by Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi's government finally reflects the long-held wishes and attitudes of the Indian people."
This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
