On February 26, 2026, the opposition party, Congress, criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech in the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) as an “unabashed defense” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming it undermined India’s moral standing. Modi’s address, delivered on February 25, emphasized the Gaza Peace Initiative as a pathway to “just and durable peace” and conveyed solidarity with Israel in the fight against terrorism, stating, “terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere.” He also expressed condolences for victims of a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, affirming India’s unwavering support for Israel.
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh condemned Modi’s remarks, recalling India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s response to Albert Einstein’s 1947 letter regarding the creation of Israel. Ramesh referenced a 1947 letter from Nehru to Einstein where Nehru expressed both sympathy for Jews and Arabs, acknowledging the complexity and emotional intensity of the situation. Nehru questioned why, despite Jewish accomplishments in Palestine, there was a failure to gain goodwill from the Arabs and criticized the ongoing British rule as a significant obstacle to resolving the conflict.
Ramesh’s critique included citing comments from Eitay Mack, an Israeli lawyer and human rights activist, who argued that Modi’s address diminished India’s moral posture. Ramesh shared Mack’s criticisms, highlighting a broader concern about the ethical implications of India’s support for Israel amidst ongoing tensions in the region.