'Israel and Palestine should have peace talks,' she said rejecting any resolution by House on Gaza.

Opposition staged a walkout in Rajya Sabha after demands for resolution on Gaza were not accepted.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj rejected calls for Parliament resolution on Gaza violence, despite the opposition's demands. "Israel and Palestine should have peace talks," she said rejecting any resolution by House on Gaza.

Opposition parties today condemned the violence in Gaza and pressed for adoption of a resolution by the Rajya Sabha against it besides demanding suspension of all military purchases from Israel as the House took up a discussion over the matter ending a week-long deadlock.

The House, which was paralysed over the issue last week, also saw demands from members for India raising its concern over the Israel attack on Gaza strip at the United Nations.

Initiating a discussion on the 'Unprecedented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine causing death of scores of civilians', Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad slammed the government over the delay in discussing the issue questioning whether it has made any change in the country's foreign policy towards Palestine.

Accusing the government of acting as a "spectator" to the on-going "massacre" in Palestine, Azad said "I request the Indian government, the Opposition, the House and 124 crore people of the country to rise to the occassion on humanitarian grounds. A resolutiion should be passed... the use of force must stop...prevent further loss of life and property in Palestine.

"A united appeal must be made. Government must realise India's stature and walk the talk. Entire House should condemn the attack and pass a resolution."

Striking an allegory of the Mahabharata, Azad rued that powerful countries of the world are just witnessing the happenings in Gaza like 'Dhritrashtra', the blind king, while a war is going on for last 15 days in which innocent women and children are being killed.

Noting that India's policy has always been to support the Palestine cause, he said at a time when the country is emerging as a democratic and economic power in the world, "India is sitting as mere spectator and it took us seven days to think whether we should even discuss it or not."

Chandan Mitra (BJP) said the discussion by some opposition members in the House on the Gaza issue was "as expected more emotional than logic."

He also said that there was no need to get "total emotional" as India needs to keep in mind that any "tilt" on either side could impact the country's foreign policy.

Mitra said India as a votary of peace should stop war and must make efforts to ensure West Asia becomes a region of peace.

Stating that India cannot be "neutral" on this issue, Kanimozhi (DMK) said, "We are aspiring to be the world leader. We cannot be a world leader, if we cannot take a stand on humanitarian issue."

With inputs from PTI