Congress MP Jairam Ramesh. File
| Photograph Credit score: ANI
The Congress on Thursday (February 26, 2026) described Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s handle to the Israeli Parliament as an “unabashed defence of his host” premier Benjamin Netanyahu and one which “diminished India’s ethical standing”.
Hitting out at Mr. Modi, the opposition social gathering additionally recalled India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s July 1947 reply to Albert Einstein’s letter to him with reference to the creation of Israel.
Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday (February 25, 2026), Mr. Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path in direction of “simply and sturdy peace” within the area. He additionally delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that “terrorism wherever threatens peace in all places”.
“I additionally carry with me the deepest condolences of the folks of India for each life misplaced and for each household whose world was shattered within the barbaric terrorist assault by Hamas on October 7 (2023)… India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, on this second, and past. No trigger can justify the homicide of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Mr. Modi stated.
Congress normal secretary, in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh, denounced the speech and dwelt at size on Nehru’s phrases.
“In his handle to the Knesset yesterday which was an unabashed defence of his host Prime Minister Modi drew consideration to the truth that India recognised the brand new state of Israel on the day he was born,” he stated in a submit on X.
Mr. Ramesh then cited Einstein’s letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on June 13, 1947, with reference to the creation of Israel.
“Right here is Nehru’s reply to Einstein a month later. On November 5, 1949, the 2 had met at Einstein’s dwelling in Princeton. In November 1952, Einstein was supplied the Presidency of Israel which he declined,” Mr. Ramesh recalled.
“And a short time earlier than he handed away in April 1955, Einstein and Nehru had exchanged letters on the problem of nuclear explosions and weapons,” he identified.
Mr. Ramesh posted that in his reply to Einstein on July 11, 1947, Nehru wrote, “I confess that whereas I’ve a really nice deal of sympathy for the Jews, I really feel sympathy for the Arabs additionally of their predicament. In any occasion, the entire problem has grow to be one in every of excessive emotion and deep ardour on either side.” India’s first Prime Minister stated, “Until males are sufficiently big on both aspect, which is simply and customarily agreeable to the events involved, I see no efficient answer for the current.
“I’ve paid a great deal of consideration to this downside of Palestine and have learn books and pamphlets on the topic issued on both aspect; but I can’t say that I do know all about it, or that I’m competent to move a last opinion as to what ought to be performed. I do know that the Jews have performed a beautiful piece of labor in Palestine and have raised the requirements of the folks there, however one query troubles me. In spite of everything these exceptional achievements, why have they failed to realize the goodwill of the Arabs? Why do they need to compel the Arabs to submit towards their will to sure calls for, Nehru requested.
“The best way of strategy has been one which doesn’t result in a settlement, however quite to the continuation of the battle. I’ve little doubt that the fault will not be confined to 1 social gathering however that each one have erred,” he went on to say.
The chief problem has been the continuation of British rule in Palestine, Nehru stated.
In one other submit, Mr. Ramesh cited the criticism of the PM’s handle by Eitay Mack, a well known Israeli lawyer and human rights activist.
“He [Mack] has uncovered the sham of the Prime Minister’s a lot heralded [In the godi media] handle to the Knesset yesterday that diminished India’s ethical standing,” Mr. Ramesh stated.
The Congress chief shared a submit which carried Mr. Mack’s remarks in an article through which he was crucial of Mr. Modi’s handle.
Printed – February 26, 2026 12:33 pm IST
