A big controversy has erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible speech in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. Israel’s opposition parties are threatening a boycott, which could lead to the problem of vacant seats in Parliament. In view of this, Israeli Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana has made a unique plan. He has decided to call former MPs, so that they can sit on the vacant seats and there is no disgrace for Israel in front of PM Modi. PM Modi is going to visit Israel on Wednesday i.e. 25 February 2026, where many important agreements are also expected.
What problem does the opposition in Israel have with PM Modi’s speech?
This news has come at a time when the discussion about a new agreement in the field of defense and security between India and Israel is in full swing. PM Modi is being welcomed on a large scale in Israel, but domestic politics has put a hurdle in it. The opposition says that if Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Emit is not invited, they will boycott the speech.
It is an old tradition in Israel that the Chief Justice is called during foreign leaders’ addresses to Parliament. But the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to invite Justice Emit, raising questions on his qualifications.
What is the demand of the opposition?
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has given a strong reaction on this issue. Last week he had said, ‘If the alliance boycotts the President of the Supreme Court in the special session with the Prime Minister of India, we will not be able to attend it.’
Lapid accused the Parliament Speaker of damaging Israel’s international image. He appealed to Netanyahu to instruct the Speaker to invite Justice Emit. Lapid says that this will embarrass the Knesset and affect Israel’s foreign relations.
PM Israel is avoiding embarrassment in front of Modi
In response, Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana rejected the opposition’s criticism outright. He said that if Yair Lapid wants to spoil relations with an important friend of Israel and one of the world’s major powers, then it is his own decision.
Ohana reminded that there have been previous occasions when there have been addresses by foreign leaders, such as the visits of Argentine President Javier Meili and US President Donald Trump, where the Chief Justice was not invited. Still the opposition did not boycott him. The Speaker clearly said that by calling former MPs, the Parliament will be shown as full, so that there is no shortage in front of PM Modi.
Israel has high expectations from PM Modi’s visit
This visit of PM Modi is considered very important for India-Israel relations. Defense deals, technical cooperation and security agreements can be negotiated between the two countries. Israel has already helped India on many occasions, such as supplying arms in the Kargil war. But this time the domestic dispute has raised questions on the entire tour. Experts believe that if the boycott happens, it could expose Israel’s internal political discord to the world.
This news is getting a lot of coverage in the Israeli media. Some reports say that the government is not ready to accept the demand of the opposition, because there is already a controversy over the selection of Justice Amit. On the other hand, the opposition is calling it an issue of protecting democracy. It remains to be seen whether this dispute will be resolved before PM Modi’s visit or not.
