The Congress party on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on Israel’s recent actions in the West Bank, accusing the government of abandoning its stated commitment to the Palestinian cause. The party’s general secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh, said Israel is using the ongoing West Asia conflict as cover to advance what he described as its vision of a “Greater Israel.”
Ramesh highlighted that it has been 28 days since the start of the US‑Israel aerial bombings in Iran and Iran’s counter-offensive, noting that global attention has largely focused on the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in Gulf countries. “Meanwhile, Israel has continued its brutalities against the people of Gaza, begun operations to create a large buffer zone in southern Lebanon, and taken decisive steps to convert its annexation of the West Bank into firm occupation,” he said on social media platform X.
The Congress leader also pointed out that Israel’s cabinet approved land registration in roughly half of the occupied West Bank just days before Modi’s visit to the country last month. According to Ramesh, this move threatens the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. He criticised Modi for failing to raise these issues with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Indian leader has not “spoken truth” to his ally despite the humanitarian implications.
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The party reiterated its earlier criticisms of Modi’s visit to Israel, which took place amid ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza. Congress officials argued that statements by the government expressing support for Palestinian rights are “cynical and hypocritical,” given the lack of concrete action or vocal opposition to Israel’s policies.
International observers have condemned Israel’s dispossession and displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, while humanitarian groups continue to document civilian casualties in Gaza. Ramesh emphasized that the Modi government’s silence undermines India’s historic support for the Palestinian cause and risks sending the wrong diplomatic signal at a time of heightened regional conflict.
The opposition party has called for a more active Indian role in advocating for Palestinian rights, urging the government to use its diplomatic influence to pressure Israel to halt settlement expansions and protect civilians affected by the conflict. Congress officials maintain that sustained engagement is necessary to uphold India’s commitments to international law and human rights in the region.
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