Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak about the situation in Gaza during his address to the Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, during his ongoing visit to Israel.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said she hopes the Prime Minister will speak about what she called the “genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza” and demand justice for them. She wrote, “India has stood for what is right throughout our history as an independent nation. We must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world.”
Her statement came as Modi began his two day State visit to Israel from February 25 to 26 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the visit, Modi is scheduled to meet Netanyahu, call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and address the Knesset.
Congress Attacks Government’s Stand on Palestine
The Congress party has strongly criticised the government’s position on Gaza. Senior leader Jairam Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of showing “moral cowardice” by engaging closely with Netanyahu at a time when many countries have raised concerns over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
In a post on X, Ramesh recalled India’s past support for Palestine. He noted that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Gaza in 1960 and met Indian troops serving with the United Nations. He also mentioned that India issued a commemorative stamp in support of Palestine in 1981 and formally recognised the State of Palestine in 1988.
“That was a different era,” Ramesh wrote. He alleged that while much of the world is critical of Netanyahu, Modi’s public embrace of the Israeli leader marks a shift from India’s traditional stand on Palestine.
Gaza Death Toll and UN Report Raise Global Concerns
Modi’s visit comes as violence continues in Gaza. According to Palestinian sources, Israeli air strikes recently killed at least two Palestinians in northern Gaza’s Jabalia camp and the Qizan an Najjar area in the south.
Reports say that since October 2023, at least 72,073 people have been killed and 171,756 injured in Gaza. After a ceasefire came into effect earlier, more than 614 people were reportedly killed and 1,640 wounded in fresh attacks.
A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office said Israel’s military campaign and blockade have created living conditions that are “increasingly incompatible with Palestinians’ continued existence as a group in Gaza”. The report, released on February 19, stated that intensified attacks, destruction of neighbourhoods and denial of humanitarian aid may point to attempts at permanent displacement. It also raised concerns about possible ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
India-Israel Ties and Trade Relations
Despite criticism, the Indian government has described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the India-Israel strategic partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs said both leaders will review cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, agriculture, water management, innovation, trade and people-to-people ties.
In 2024, bilateral trade between India and Israel stood at 3.9 billion US dollars. Current mutual investments are estimated at around 800 million US dollars, according to official figures. Last year, the two countries also signed an investment agreement aimed at expanding trade during a visit by Israel’s Finance Minister to New Delhi.
Netanyahu’s office described the visit as historic and said there is a “tremendous alliance between Israel and India” with growing defence and economic cooperation. The two leaders are also expected to discuss regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
