New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his scheduled State visit to Israel, arguing that the trip comes at a sensitive time amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of overlooking growing international concern surrounding the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said the visit coincides with heightened global scrutiny over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and developments in the occupied West Bank.
Congress Recalls India’s Historical Position
In a post on X, Ramesh cited key moments from India’s diplomatic history to underline what he described as a shift in the country’s moral stance. He noted that on May 20, 1960, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Gaza and met Indian personnel serving with the United Nations Emergency Force. He also referred to India issuing a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine in 1981 and formally recognising the State of Palestine in 1988.
According to Ramesh, these actions reflected India’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. He contrasted that record with what he termed the present government’s closer embrace of Israel during a period marked by conflict and widespread destruction in Gaza.
Priyanka Gandhi Urges Focus on Civilian Casualties
Earlier in the day, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also commented on the upcoming visit. She urged the Prime Minister to address the issue of civilian casualties in Gaza during his expected speech at the Knesset.
In her statement, she expressed hope that India would continue to stand for peace, justice and fairness in international affairs, and called on the Prime Minister to highlight the humanitarian impact of the conflict while engaging Israeli leadership.
Details of the State Visit
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Israel on February 25 and 26 at the invitation of Netanyahu. This will be his second visit to the country, following his 2017 trip — the first standalone visit to Israel by an Indian Prime Minister.
During the two-day tour, Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Netanyahu, reviewing progress under the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. Discussions are likely to cover cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
He is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog as part of the official engagements.
Israel Calls Visit ‘Historic’
Netanyahu has described the upcoming visit as “historic,” highlighting the steady expansion of ties between the two democracies. Israeli officials have pointed to growing collaboration in defence technology, innovation and agriculture as key pillars of the partnership.
As political debate intensifies at home, the visit has once again brought attention to India’s diplomatic balancing act in West Asia — deepening strategic ties with Israel while reiterating its traditional support for the Palestinian cause.
The two-day engagement is expected to reaffirm bilateral cooperation even as the Gaza conflict continues to shape both international discourse and domestic political debate.
