Indian Left Denounces Modi’s State Visit to Israel

Upon his arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Modi was received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit, centered on strengthening military cooperation and expanding arms sales, arrives at a moment of heightened scrutiny regarding India’s role in supplying weaponry to the Israeli military. In his address to the Knesset, Modi condemned the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas but faced immediate backlash for failing to acknowledge the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Left-wing parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the CPI (ML) Liberation, characterized the trip as a betrayal of India’s historical anti-colonial stance. Critics argue the visit legitimizes the Netanyahu administration while mirroring, and in some cases importing, repressive domestic tactics such as collective punishment and the use of surveillance infrastructure. Beyond political parties, members of civil society and academia have joined the chorus of dissent, with activists from the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement labeling the government’s actions as an endorsement of violence. For these opponents, the diplomatic engagement represents a shift toward authoritarian alignment that prioritizes strategic and economic ties over international human rights concerns.