Kathmandu: A group of prominent civil society leaders has called on the Government of Nepal to break its silence on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and publicly condemn what they describe as genocide and large-scale atrocities committed by the Israeli government.
In a strongly worded letter submitted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and copied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group expressed deep concern over Nepal’s “reluctance to speak forcefully” against the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. The appeal comes amid intensifying global condemnation of Israel’s military campaign, which has reportedly claimed nearly 60,000 lives, including almost 20,000 children, since hostilities escalated in 2023.
“Nepal’s silence on the Gaza genocide diminishes us as a modern-day nation-state and deprives us of the moral authority to speak up on other important international issues,” the letter stated. It urged the government to uphold Nepal’s long-standing foreign policy principles of non-alignment and Panchsheel.
The signatories, which include human rights defenders, academics, and former diplomats, called for an official denouncement of Israel’s airstrikes, ground operations, and blockade of humanitarian aid, which they say constitute war crimes. They also criticized the targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including hospitals and schools.
While acknowledging the deaths of 10 Nepali students and the abduction of Bipin Joshi in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, the group argued that this should not deter Nepal from condemning what they described as Israel’s “disproportionate and brutal response.” They called on the government to pursue all diplomatic avenues to secure Joshi’s release.
Citing Nepal’s diplomatic history, including its recognition of Israel in 1960, the letter stated that the country has both the “right and obligation” to speak out. The leaders urged Nepal to support the actions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), both of which are reviewing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The letter also recommended limiting diplomatic engagement with Israel to consular affairs, suspending new bilateral agreements, and restricting the entry of Israeli military personnel accused of war crimes.
Signatories include Dr. Renu Adhikari, Mohna Ansari, Kanak Mani Dixit, Kul Chandra Gautam, Chaitanya Mishra, Bimala Rai Paudyal, Bishow Parajuli, Sushil Pyakurel, and Surya Prasad Shrestha—well-known figures in Nepal’s civil society.
The government has yet to issue a public response to the appeal.