Opening the session, Anjana Sankar described Palestine as one of the world’s most polarised and misunderstood subjects, noting that decades of reporting have often flattened its historical and political complexity. Also read: Jaya Ekadashi 2026: Date, timings, rituals and spiritual significanceDiscussing regional politics, Stanly Johny said economic engagement and normalisation had failed to influence Israeli policy. Responding to Johny’s question on Arab public sentiment, Anjana Sankar said “Living in the Arab world, I see how central Palestine remains to Arab politics.” Added there was no single Arab position. Stanly Johny outlined the core argument of his book ‘Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia’, emphasising that “history did not begin on October 7”. Stanly Johny added that regional support for Palestine had weakened, leaving Israel with overwhelming power.