Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 15 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Wednesday backed Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her criticism of Centre for abstaining to vote on the United Nations motion on Gaza ceasefire.

Speaking with ANI, Harish Rawat said that people of Palestine have always stood with India, and thanked Priyanka Gandhi for expressing 'common sentiment of nation.'

'India has a very old relation with the Palestinians since the times of Yasser Arafat. If there is any Arab nation that stood with us against Pakistan, it is Palestine. The people of Palestine have always stood with India. They supported us in every war and difficulty,' Rawat said.

'If someone is ethnically cleansing Palestinians, then that is unfortunate. Priyanka Gandhi has expressed the common sentiment of the nation. I thank her,' he added.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi called the Union government's decision of abstaining to vote 'shameful and disappointing', adding that the true global leadership demands the courage to defend justice.

'It is shameful and disappointing that our government has chosen to abstain on the UN motion for the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations in Gaza,' Priyanka Gandhi said on X.

'True global leadership demands the courage to defend justice; India has shown this courage unfailingly in the past. In a world that is increasingly divisive, we must reclaim our voice for humanity and stand fearlessly for truth and non-violence,' she added.

Stressing the deaths of women and children in Gaza, Priyanka Gandhi said, '60,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed already; an entire population is being confined and starved to death, and we are refusing to take a stand.'

Earlier on Friday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a permanent resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

A total of 149 countries voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza in the UNGA; meanwhile, 19 countries abstained and 12 nations voted against the resolution. (ANI)