Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, during which Mr. Netanyahu provided an update on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has tragically claimed the lives of over 1,600 people. During the call, Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s unwavering support for Israel during these challenging times and reiterated India’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.
“I appreciate Prime Minister @netanyahu for reaching out and sharing updates on the current situation. The people of India stand firmly by Israel during this challenging period. India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” PM Modi tweeted on X, formerly Twitter.
This expression of support is noteworthy because historically, India has supported the Palestinian cause and has been forging closer ties with Israel in recent years. India’s growing role in the Middle East has now placed it in a delicate diplomatic position, especially as countries like the US, UK, Germany, France, and Italy have issued a joint statement affirming their unwavering support for Israel and condemning Hamas unequivocally. However, many Middle Eastern countries have attributed blame to Israel for the current situation.
This conversation between PM Modi and Mr. Netanyahu also occurs against the backdrop of the Palestinian envoy’s statement, urging India, as a friend to both Israel and Palestine, to help mediate and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Palestine’s Ambassador to India, Abu Alhaija, placed responsibility on Israel and the international community for the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that it is a reaction to Israel’s actions in the West Bank. He called upon India to intervene and assist in negotiations, stating that India’s role could be instrumental in achieving a peaceful solution.
In a joint statement, leaders from the US, UK, France, Germany, and Italy strongly denounced Hamas’ actions as appalling and cautioned against any attempts by nations to exploit the crisis in Israel. The statement emphasized that terrorism, in any form, cannot be justified, and the world has witnessed horrific acts committed by Hamas during the conflict.
The leaders pledged their support to Israel in its efforts to defend itself against such atrocities and stressed that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit the situation for their advantage.