Congress Slams PM Modi Over Israel Stand, Calls It ‘Moral Cowardice’
Jairam Ramesh accuses Modi Government of remaining silent on Gaza conflict and Palestinian displacement
NEW DELHI, May 29: The Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India’s perceived position on the ongoing West Asia conflict, accusing him of showing “extreme moral cowardice” by emerging as one of Israel’s strongest supporters amid rising global criticism of Tel Aviv’s military actions.
The remarks came after reports quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying during a conference in the West Bank that Israel was facing delegitimisation globally except in India.
Reacting strongly to the statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister’s stance represented a departure from India’s long-standing diplomatic principles and historical support for the Palestinian cause.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh claimed that Prime Minister Modi had failed to condemn several developments linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia, including the reported assassination of Iran’s top leadership, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and military operations in Lebanon.
He further accused the Government of maintaining silence over the displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and restrictions faced by Palestinians living within Israel.
According to the Congress leader, Netanyahu’s remarks should not be interpreted as reflecting the sentiments of the Indian public as a whole. He argued that support for Israel’s actions was limited to the Prime Minister’s political and corporate ecosystem rather than representing India’s broader democratic and humanitarian values.
Ramesh also referred to Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic outreach to Israel earlier this year, alleging that the engagement took place shortly before intensified military developments in the region involving Iran and the United States.
The Congress maintained that India’s foreign policy has traditionally balanced strategic interests with humanitarian concerns and asserted that any deviation from this approach undermines the country’s global image and moral standing.
The BJP had not issued an official response to the Congress allegations till the filing of this report. However, the Centre has repeatedly stated in recent months that India supports peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia while maintaining strategic relations with multiple countries in the region.
The political exchange comes amid continuing international debate over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and growing geopolitical tensions involving Israel, Iran and major global powers.
