Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that Israel enjoys “tremendous support” in India, stating that the claim is incorrect and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position should not be mistaken for the views of the Indian people.
Ramesh Challenges Netanyahu’s Statement
Ramesh’s remarks came after he referred to comments by US Vice-President JD Vance, who, according to Ramesh, had said Israel no longer had a powerful ally apart from the US. Netanyahu responded by saying Israel continued to enjoy strong support in India.
“Netanyahu is wrong,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader alleged that while Netanyahu had the backing of the “Modani empire” and claimed that PM Modi remained “blindly devoted” to the Israeli leader, crores of Indians condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Iran and Lebanon.
Accusations of Genocide in Gaza
Ramesh accused Israel of carrying out “genocide” in Gaza, alleging that even children had not been spared. He also referred to the displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Israeli air strikes in Iran, including targeted assassinations, and its military offensive in southern Lebanon, describing them as “assaults on humanity itself”.
He further criticised PM Modi for not speaking out against Israel’s actions. “The self-styled and award-hungry Vishwaguru’s stony silence on Israel’s actions is a betrayal of India’s civilisational ethos and values. It is simply unconscionable,” Ramesh said.
Netanyahu’s Isolation
Ramesh said that receiving a “certificate” from Netanyahu was “no badge of honour”, claiming that the Israeli PM himself was becoming increasingly isolated and had drawn frustration and anger even from US President Donald Trump.
