NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the Gaza issue during his Israel visit. She called on him to speak about the plight of civilians while addressing the Knesset (Israeli Parliament).Her remarks come as PM Modi departed for a two-day State visit to Israel from February 25–26 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the trip, PM Modi is scheduled to meet Netanyahu, call on President Isaac Herzog and address the Knesset.In a post on X, she wrote: “I hope that the Hon Prime Minister mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them. 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.”She emphasised that India has historically taken principled positions on global issues and said the country must continue to uphold truth, peace and justice on the world stage.The Congress party has also criticised the government over its position on the Gaza conflict. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the government has abandoned the Palestinian cause despite claiming otherwise.In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that PM Modi is displaying “moral cowardice” by embracing Netanyahu while civilians suffer in Gaza.“On May 20 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru was in Gaza and met with the Indian contingent of the UN Emergency Force there. On Nov 29 1981, India issued a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine. On Nov 18 1988, India formally recognised the state of Palestine. That was a different era. Now the Indian Prime Minister is brazenly embracing the Prime Minister of Israel, who has reduced Gaza to rubble and dust and who is orchestrating the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. When the entire world is critical of his ‘dear friend’ Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Modi will be displaying moral cowardice,” he wrote. Meanwhile, the government has described the visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the deep and long-standing India–Israel strategic partnership. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders will review progress in cooperation across defence and security, science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.An upgraded security agreement and progress on a proposed free trade agreement are expected to be key outcomes of the visit. PM Modi will also attend an innovation event and visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.Netanyahu has termed the visit “historic”, highlighting growing defence and economic cooperation between the two countries. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
