Modi celebrates Netanyahu's win! He would Never support a Palestinian state
Indian PM Modi congratulates Netanyahu in Hebrew, while there was stony silence from the US
New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu in Hebrew following the Likud party's success in the elections.
In a post from Modi's twitter account, he wrote in Hebrew "Mazel tov, my friend Bibi @Netanyahu. I remember our meeting in New York last September warmly," followed by an English translation in a separate tweet.
Around the world, Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election as Israeli leader was greeted with a mixed reaction. But Modi chose to clear the air and showcased his alignment with Netanyahu...
Is he behaving as the Prime Minister of India, this question has to be answered. Specifically while, there was stony silence from the US, where President Barack Obama has a difficult relationship with the Likud leader, and where American Jews may now need to readjust their thinking on Israeli policy.
Historian Simon Schema was among those pondering the repercussions of the Israeli prime minister’s statement this week that he would not grant a Palestinian state, and that he would continue to expand Jewish settlements.
“There will now be immense soul-searching in American Jewish community,” said Schama, “not because Bibi won but because of what he said.” The majority of American Jews did not want him to make his speech to the US Congress earlier this month, said Schama, and “his line on Palestine will deepen this rift”.
In European capitals those concerns echoed, with former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt agreeing that Netanyahu’s victory risked a “profound crisis on Palestinian issue”. He added that it was now “difficult to see any credible political path forward”.
In Ramallah, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said his re-election was due to “a campaign based on settlements, racism, apartheid and the denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people”.
But further east, where Israel’s diplomatic attention has now turned, Netanyahu’s re-election was greeted “warmly” by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embraced the result with the words: “Congratulations to my friend Bibi.”
Since Atal Times, India has been a close ally of Israel as much as Untied States of America. In accordance with American interest Indian traditional pro-Palestinian diplomacy had turnaround long before with the demise of Mrs Indira Gandhi.
You may remember the tears of Yaser Arafat as he reached New Delhi after Indira's assassination. Incidentally, Arafat was also assassinated.
The mystery of the assassination of these leaders has not been solved as yet which changed the equation In South Asia as well as Middle East and suddenly India became the enemy of Palestine to support Israel and handed its internal security to Mossad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will do everything in his power to ensure the "well-being and security" of all Israeli citizens.
It literally means that he would do everything to destroy Palestine.
Mind you, Netanyahu made his comments on Wednesday at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a day after his conservative Likud party scored a resounding victory in Israel's parliamentary election.
Netanyahu said earlier this week he would never support a Palestinian state, reversing the position he had held during his administration as the two sides conducted peace talks that eventually broke down.
The election was viewed closely regarding its impact on U.S.-Israeli relations. Differences on key issues, including the Iranian nuclear negotiations and stalled peace talks, have led to increased tensions between the two governments.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that unprecedented security cooperation between the United States and Israel will continue, and he voiced support for a two-state solution with Israel and the Palestinians. It means that United States of America would never support a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Senior Palestinian Authority official Abdullah expressed disappointment at the results.
"Unfortunately it looks that the Likud will form the next government, and that means the old policy will continue," Abdullah said. "Netanyahu was very clear in his last days of the campaign that he will never allow a Palestinian state, he will not withdraw one centimetre from the occupied Palestinian territories, Jerusalem will stay united as the capital of Israel and that means it closes all the options for peace negotiations."
The Palestinians are now likely to press ahead with their attempts to bring war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court.
On the other hand, a U.N. spokesperson, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said it will be incumbent on the new Israeli government to create the conditions leading to a final peace deal with the Palestinians. He said Israel should take steps including a cessation of illegal settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.
In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc is committed to working with the incoming Israeli government on a "mutually beneficial relationship" and on launching the Middle East peace process.
Palash Biswas

Hastakshep