Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘Palestine’ handbag draws attention in Parliament

New Delhi: Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi made a statement in Parliament on Monday by carrying a handbag with "Palestine" inscribed on it, which quickly drew attention from fellow lawmakers and media alike.

The move is seen as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Priyanka, a vocal critic of the Israel-Gaza conflict, had previously condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, calling them "barbaric and inhuman."

The image of Priyanka smiling and showing off her bag sparked reactions across social media, with many expressing surprise and others questioning her support for the Palestinian cause. Her symbolic support came just a day after she met Palestinian embassy charge d'affaires Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer. The meeting, which took place at her residence, was to congratulate her on her Lok Sabha victory and also discuss India’s potential role in promoting a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.

Priyanka has been outspoken in her criticism of Israel's military offensive, labeling it as a violation of international law. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in July, she stated that it was the "moral responsibility" of every individual, including Israeli citizens who oppose violence, to condemn Israel’s actions and push for an end to the violence.

This symbolic gesture comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the October 7, 2023 terror attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which led to a large-scale Israeli military response. India strongly condemned the attack and called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

With IANS inputs