Modi Set for Second Israel Visit Amid Gaza War, Global Protests Against Genocide in Gaza

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel on the 24th and 25th of February, according to an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Responding to questions from reporters about upcoming diplomatic engagements, Netanyahu said that Modi would be the next leader to visit the country. Prime Minister’s Office has also confirmed the visit.

This will be Modi’s second visit to Israel since assuming office. In 2017, he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Although India and Israel established full diplomatic ties in 1992, no Indian Prime Minister or President had visited the country until then.

India’s traditional foreign policy, which stood firmly with the Palestinian people, was altered after Narendra Modi came to power, with India adopting a pro-Israel stance.

At a time when European countries and even democratic organisations within the United States were organising strong protests against Israel over the genocide against Palestinians, Modi chose to visit Israel, citing warm relations and discussions on strategic moves. The visit is reportedly aimed at taking decisions on certain strategic issues and strengthening ties in the fields of trade, defence, and energy.

Modi is once again visiting a country that has carried out brutal killings, including of children, and has subjected an entire people to genocide. The Modi government, which has never once openly condemned Israel’s occupation of Palestine or the mass killings in Gaza, had also drawn controversy with its Israel visit in 2017. Modi’s 2017 visit was also notable because he did not combine it with a stop in Ramallah, the administrative headquarters of the Palestinian Authority — a departure from the practice followed by some previous world leaders.

Israel is one of India’s main defence partners. India imports several weaponsand arms from Israel ranging from missiles and drones to surveillance and air-defence platforms. A substantial part of the profits Israel earns from its arms trade with countries like India are being used to continue the attacks and occupation in Gaza.