The Congress party on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of showing “extreme moral cowardice” by strongly supporting Israel amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The party said India’s foreign policy position under the government is a “betrayal” of the country’s traditional values.
The criticism came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said at a conference in the West Bank that Israel faces global delegitimisation “all over the world except in India,” highlighting India as a key supporter.
“Modi strongest supporter of Israel,” says Congress
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, posting on social media platform X, alleged that PM Modi has consistently backed Israel while remaining silent on major humanitarian issues.
He said, “Mr. Modi has stood out as Mr. Netanyahu’s strongest supporter. Israel is embedded in the Modani conglomerate. He has been demonstrating extreme moral cowardice and his stance is a betrayal of all that India stands for and is unacceptable to crores of Indians.”
Ramesh also claimed that the Prime Minister has not publicly condemned key incidents in the region, adding, “Mr. Modi never condemned the targeted assassination of the Iranian head of state, and never condemned the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza.”
Allegations over silence on Gaza and West Bank
The Congress leader further said the Prime Minister has remained silent on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the situation in the occupied West Bank.
He alleged, “Mr. Modi has never condemned the ongoing devastation in Gaza nor has he publicly voiced his strong opposition to Israel’s bombing of Lebanon. He has maintained total silence on the forced dispossession and displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.”
Ramesh also claimed that Palestinians living in Israel face restrictions on civil rights, but India’s leadership has not spoken out on the issue.
Reference to Netanyahu remark sparks political row
Ramesh pointed to Netanyahu’s reported comment that Israel is isolated globally except for support from India. He said, “It would have been more accurate to say that this reflects Prime Minister Modi’s ecosystem and not India as a whole.”
The Congress leader also alleged that PM Modi had “warmly embraced” Israel shortly before a major escalation in the region earlier this year, though he did not provide details of the engagement.
Rising political heat over foreign policy stance
The remarks have added to the ongoing political debate in India over its position on the Israel–Palestine conflict. While the government has maintained a strategic partnership with Israel in defence and technology, opposition parties have repeatedly questioned its silence on civilian casualties in Gaza.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not issued any response to the Congress allegations at the time of reporting.
The controversy reflects widening political divisions over India’s balancing act in West Asia, where it maintains diplomatic ties with both Israel and the Palestinian leadership while prioritising strategic and economic interests.
