Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, drawing a sharp comparison to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In a powerful and direct statement on Friday, Abdullah said, “As far as I know, Iran did not give any reason to Israel for this strike. Israel waged war on a country by calling it a preemptive attack… Israel did the same thing that Russia did in Ukraine.”
Omar Abdullah further elaborated on the wider impact such aggression could have, particularly on India and global stability. “Of course, the situation will escalate. It has an immediate impact on us. It will impact our fuel prices, stock market, and flights that have to fly to the West. But more than that, it will impact the sentiments of the people… It will be a matter of extreme regret if the world’s great powers remain silent on this… The big powers of the world, like America and Europe, raise their voices against Russia, but in the matter of Israel, they remain silent. If it is wrong for a country to attack another country, as in the case of Russia, then here too, it is not justified for Israel to attack Iran,” said Abdullah.
His statement comes at a time of heightened global tension following a major escalation in the Middle East. Israel’s strike on Iranian territory, which it labeled a preemptive measure, has been widely criticized across various quarters internationally. Abdullah’s remarks highlight the potential double standards being employed by major world powers and call for consistency in international responses to acts of aggression.
His comments also signal concerns about the economic implications of the conflict. With crude oil prices already volatile due to geopolitical instability, any further escalation between Israel and Iran could disrupt global oil supply chains. This would likely lead to a surge in fuel prices in India and affect its economic indicators, particularly the stock market and aviation sector.
Abdullah’s warning also addressed public sentiment, emphasizing how such global actions impact the psyche of people beyond the immediate conflict zones. His criticism of Western nations for selectively condemning acts of war underscores the call for a more balanced and impartial approach from global powers like the United States and the European Union.
Reiterating the principle of sovereign integrity, Abdullah questioned the legality and morality of unilateral military action. By equating Israel’s strike on Iran with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he sought to underline the inconsistency in global reactions and the urgent need for a uniform standard when responding to international conflicts.
