Israel Emerging as the Enforcer of Imperialism in the Arab World: Prakash Karat

Thrissur: Israel is increasingly acting as the enforcer of imperialist interests in the Arab region, CPI(M) politburo member Prakash Karat said, warning of deepening global inequalities and shifting geopolitical dynamics. He was delivering a lecture titled “Rising Inequality” at the EMS Memorial observance held in Thrissur.
He remarked that Israel’s attack on Iran signals an intent to expand its occupation in the region. Karat also traced this aggression back to a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy that began with Donald Trump's second term in office. The change, he said, has had far-reaching consequences for international relations, with the United States implementing aggressive economic policies under the guise of reclaiming lost dominance.
Karat criticized the U.S. for exploiting even its allies through tariff wars, which, he warned, are causing severe damage to India. Trump's demands for lowering import duties on American agricultural, dairy, and consumer products could devastate India’s agriculture sector, livestock economy, and small and medium-scale industries, he said.
He further noted that the U.S. is pressuring India to become a strategic ally, buy more weapons, and increase energy imports. India’s fuel imports from the U.S. have risen by 61% compared to the previous year, he pointed out.
The deteriorating U.S.-China relations are also likely to impact India. Despite the trade disputes, China has remained largely unaffected and has made significant progress in multiple sectors. In the field of artificial intelligence, China has even surpassed the U.S., Karat said. With China curbing the export of rare earth magnets, countries including India are facing a crisis in the automobile sector, he added.
Turning to domestic issues, Karat said that as global inequality rises, Kerala continues to offer a model of inclusive governance. “Inequality is not just about income or wealth. It is also reflected in access to basic needs — housing, food, healthcare, and education,” he said. He added that Kerala is taking proactive steps to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to services.
“These results are not accidental. They are the outcome of long-standing, people-oriented policies implemented over decades,” Karat noted. He emphasized that to carry forward this model of inclusive development, the continuation of the third consecutive LDF government in Kerala is essential.