The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has now become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, and he won’t be meeting with Palestinian leaders, causing upset among them.
The Coordinator of the National and Islamic Forces, Essam Abu Baker stated that “we in the Palestinian revolution and the PLO are keen on building special ties with India….this apparent shift in India’s position is huge and dangerous. We call on the Indian government to revise its policies.” Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Tasir Jaradat said that Modi should have visited both states “to spread the message of peace.” Modi, in fact, did signal a message of peace by “snubbing” the jihadist-ruled region, in which every major organization is governed by charters that declare their determination to obliterate the Zionist state of Israel.
According to Haaretz, “Ben-Gurion himself made personal contact not only with central Indian political figures to seek their support, but even convinced Albert Einstein, a reluctant Zionist, to write to Jawaharlal Nehru, soon to be India’s first prime minister, in the summer of 1947 to push for a sympathetic hearing for Zionism.” Yet since then, India’s relationship with Israel has been elusive.
Modi’s visit has now shifted the tide. India and Israel have pledged to combat terrorism, and this so-called “snub” of Palestinian leaders by Modi represents an honest first step. Modi and Netanyahu “referred to the suffering of both countries from terror.”
“India and Israel pledge to combat terrorism”, BBC News, July 5, 2017:
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have signed agreements, including on agriculture and space.
The two leaders, who made a joint statement in Jerusalem, also referred to the “suffering” of both countries from terror.
Mr Modi said they would work together to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism, including in cyberspace.
He is the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel.
The visit is seen by some as a turning point in India’s position on Israel. The two countries established diplomatic relations only 25 years ago.
Observers note he will not travel to Ramallah or meet Palestinian leaders, as visiting dignitaries often do.
Both leaders made several references to terrorism, and talked about the “challenge” of dealing with forces that sought to undermine their countries, as well as “strategic threats to regional peace and stability”.
Mr Modi also met an Israeli boy, Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were killed when gunmen stormed a Jewish centre in Mumbai during a 2008 terror attack.
Moshe Holtzberg was saved by his Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel, who was treated as a heroine in Israel where she settled with the boy after the attack.
Six Jewish people were killed at the centre, which was one of several places targeted in the attacks.
Apart from bilateral deals, Mr Netanyahu said that the two countries had recognised their roles in contributing to global stability, and had agreed to also fund development work in African countries.
Later on Wednesday Mr Modi was to address a gathering of Jewish people of Indian origin living in Israel and would be joined by Mr Netanyahu…..

steve brown says
Good news
mortimer says
Yes, a ray of sunshine. India’s might on the side of Israel will cast a shadow over Iran which has been threatening Israel almost daily.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Mortimer!
BC says
India has its own special problems with Muslims as is well known.
Jim says
Yes, what’s complicated is that India suffers more from Islamic terrorism than any other country, but it has to be careful around this large minority group. There have been longstanding friendly ties with Israel, but it looks like India finally sees hope in a new political reality, and can come out in the open with an alliance with Israel.
John Forbes says
INDIA sitting next to PAKISTAN knows well about the DELIGHTS of ISLAM & its peaceful religious side !
Of course the WEST being MORE INTELLIGENT knows DIFFERENT & continually PARROTS out the NONSENSE ! ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE & OTHER Blatant LIES LIKE – VIOLENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISLAM & SHARIA fits in well with Democracy !
AN AMOEBA knows better !
Chris Malan says
Absolutely right. The reason for this is one word: Pakistan. The Indians (predominantly Hindu) and the Pakistanis (predominantly Muslim) hate each other. My enemy’s enemy is my friend.
gravenimage says
Chris, the Indians are not threatening Pakistani Muslims. Pakistan is waging a Jihad against India, though.
Chris Malan says
From time to time, there are skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani forces in the disputed Kashmir region. Read up on the history. The area split up into India and Pakistan in about 1947 because the two sides could not get along. There’s also Bangladesh, which is East Pakistan, also Muslim, but so poor they are not a threat. Read up how both sides treated each other abonimably when the Muslims mgrated West to Pakistan and the Indians East to India – that’s for those finding themselves in the wrong area. They both hate each other.
John Krupa says
Apparently, this past June Abbas did meet with Modi while traveling to India [see the link and quote below, from American Interest]. I wonder what they discussed during that meeting; and, in the present day, I wonder what is the full meaning of PA’s announcement of frustration regarding Modi’s “snub”. Are they really frustrated or are they “milking” the press?
Hmmm … this is getting too complicated for the regular “man on the street”; certainly it’s that way for me; however, one thing that I do know for certain: few things, if any, in the Middle East are what they seem.
https://www.the-american-interest.com/2017/07/03/india-israel-breakthrough/
“But he is not planning to travel to Ramallah to visit Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. While Mr. Modi hosted Mr. Abbas in Delhi last month, this trip will be focused on India’s expanding defence, technological and commercial ties with the Jewish state.”
Gea says
Abbas is a terrorist and Holocuast denier. Why is anybody meeting with this guy who pays for terrorism against Jews.
Linde Barrera says
So glad to know India is a friend of Israel.
gravenimage says
So true, Linde.
Pong says
Jews often get euphoric about any, even small, advance of what seems to be a friendly gesture towards Israel by other countries. It is like a normal relationship with Israel is a sacrificial move by those countries. We have to remember that acceptance of such moves by Israel brings politics of those countries to a higher moral level.
There are no friends in international relations, there are economic and military interests. It is far better for India to have good relations with Israel, than with PA. It is also easier for the Indian government “to sell” it to her population, which with exception of moslems, compared to Europe, don’t have centuries of nourishing anti-semitism by all christian denominations.
Good relations will benefit both countries, but don’t have too high expectations. India still needs oil. We’ll see how India will vote in UN.
somehistory says
If fewer people who stand in positions of authority refuse to “travel to meet” the creep, abbas, maybe he’ll figure out that he’s just not likeable. Nah. he’s too much into islum to gain any wisdom.
Good for the Indian PM not giving the moslum any attention.
Hugh Fitzgerald says
Now many, though not yet all, of India’s U.N.(UNESCO, U.N.H.R.C). yesses have already become abstains, and soon, one hopes, those abstains will become noes. If Italy and Togo now dare to vote no on those appalling anti-Israel resolutions, then so can mighty India.
gravenimage says
I hope to see it, Hugh.
overman says
“The Coordinator of the National and Islamic Forces, Essam Abu Baker stated that “we in the Palestinian revolution and the PLO are keen on building special ties with India….this apparent shift in India’s position is huge and dangerous. We call on the Indian government to revise its policies.”
This can be safely dismissed as Taqiyya BS. The PLO have always lied through their teeth.
Good for lndia..
Stan Lee says
Palestinians are insulted at PM Modi’s single state visit! How sad that they have rejected state-hood so many times that the peace table is worn out. Perhaps they receive an insignificant amount of recognition from a few Arab states, but no one cares to join them in a war against Israel. They have no state because they have been holding out for all of the land, West Bank, Israel, and Gaza, “from river (Jordan River) to the Mediterranean Sea. And, in accommodation of that wish, they remain the under privileged, unwanted child of Araby. After so many years of peace discussions, the Arab price foolishly increases at each meeting until Israel looks upon it as a farce which avoids resolution, just enough for the people who grabbed a name “Palestine” in order to claim their particular roots in the Holy Land. The most authentic significance is that of Israel which has celebrated approximately 4000+ years as the modern western calendar represents, the ancient Hebrew calendar which would indicate existence of the Jewish nation for more than as calculated in the western calendar version. Whatever measure of time is utilized, the Hebrews (Jews) have existed, through thick or thin for more than 4000 years.
Returning to the insult felt by those called Palestinians, their case is weak, all they really are known for is terrorism, home-made explosives, and indoctrination of their children to be terrorists like many of their elders. Besides, India has had its own serious problems with Muslim radicals, goaded on by Pakistan. The problems are constant for India, since it is not governed with Islamic law, but is among the non-Muslim nations which have highest numbers of Muslim populations. India knows well what jihad really is!.
gravenimage says
Indian PM “snubs” Palestinian leaders; pledges to fight jihad together with Israel
……………………..
Hear, hear, Prime Minister Modi!
Guy Forester says
1. Israel has some serious arms and technology industries, intelligence gathering, and IT that interests India and that will benefit India. The PLO has what to offer?
2. After Mumbai and a whole lot more attacks and incursions from certain neighbors and “citizens”, someone give Modi at least one good reason to give recognition to these lifelong terrorists by visiting them.
India and Israel have a lot of common interests.
Matthieu Baudin says
“… The two leaders, who made a joint statement in Jerusalem, also referred to the ‘suffering’ of both countries from terror…”
Both countries have been ruthlessly pursued as special targets by violent Jihad movements and Mr Modi is to be congratulated for breaking the farce of acknowledging or at least paying lip service to already dead ‘two state solution’. The Indian PM’s predecessors may have been slow to formally recognise the State of Israel but the Nation has been a relatively safe and friendly destination for Israeli travellers, young and old for decades; and the very old Synagogues in the south have been well maintained as national cultural sites.
Thought_Weaver says
Anti-Semitism is an unknown phenomenon in India. Elated to see the comradery between Modi and Netanyahu. Two representatives of cultures dating back thousands of years. Jews having a 4000 year old history and Indians 5000. It warms my heart to see the amalgamation of two ancient and rooted people. Victory to Israel. Jai Hind!
gravenimage says
I’m afraid antisemitism is not unknown among Muslims there–otherwise, I agree.
Raja says
Muslims are also Anti Hindu in India itself but rest assured India is Hindu and WE love Israel.
gravenimage says
Thanks, Raja!
Debi Brand says
” Narendra Modi, has now become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, and he won’t be meeting with Palestinian leaders….”
Good for him. Courage.
Baucent says
This is excellent news. India has been a victim of Islamic terrorism for years incited by it’s neighbour Pakistan. India was always an obvious ally for the West in the war against Islamic Terror, and finally with PM Modi we are seeing some progress. His visit to Israel is highly significant as is his declining to visit the “Palestinian” leaders. That represents the first reversal in diplomatic fortunes for the Palestinians in years. In effect he is not recognizing the Palestinians as a “state”, irrespective of what the UN and global socialists say. The next stage should be Trump cutting military and aid funding for Pakistan and ramping up military cooperation with the Indians.
Delete Pakistan says
I hope you’re right, Pakistan is really an awful excuse for a country. The grooming gangs in Britain were Pakistani, so was the ringleader of the London Bridge jihad. Even North Korea got its nuclear weapons technology from a Pakistani thief called A.Q. Khan.
Graham says
Top marks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be blessed for his stand.
Sarah says
Rock on, Modi! Keep up the great work!
Pigs be upon Him says
Plenty of fake media there also and it disgusting ignorance of reporting effect on victims of terror in Israel and India
Alice says
I like this shift, yet I hear a veiled threat to India from the fakestinians. I am sure that India is full of sleeper cells.
Linnte says
EXCELLENT INDIA!
Mockingjay says
Yeah… GO INDIA!
Mockingjay says
– HINDU India, that is.
George says
In the entire arc of Islamic terror states from morroco to Japan there are only 3 stable democracies that follow jeduo christianic common law……..Israel India japan