Modi's visit getting entangled in Israel's domestic politics

Modi's upcoming visit to Israel faces political tensions as opposition demands Supreme Court chief's attendance at his Knesset address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit here is getting entangled in Israel's domestic politics, with Opposition leader Yair Lapid threatening to boycott his parliamentary address unless the Supreme Court chief is invited for it, as per convention.

Mr. Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25, 2026, for a two-day visit, during which he is likely to address the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Leader of Opposition Lapid has insisted that Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit be invited to the Knesset when Mr. Modi addresses the House. Sources in the Opposition maintain that it is not a call for a boycott; instead, the government is “intentionally trying to force us into a bad situation.” “We spoke to the Indian embassy ... They are in panic from this. Prime Minister of India, Modi, is invited to the Knesset next Wednesday [February 25, 2026], something that is a matter of honour for all of us,” Mr. Lapid told the Knesset recently.

“If the coalition boycotts the President of the High Court during the special session with the Prime Minister of India, we will not be able to attend the debate,” Mr. Lapid told the lawmakers, stressing that another public boycott of Mr. Amit by the coalition would cause “enormous embarrassment” to the legislature.

“We do not want India to be embarrassed by us, with the Prime Minister of a nation of a billion people standing here in front of a half-empty Knesset,” Mr. Lapid emphasised.

Israel's domestic politics is embroiled in a heated debate over judicial overhaul, a divisive issue that has also sharply split the population for over two years. The country faced large protests on the issue before the October 7 attack by Hamas two years ago, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the streets every weekend for almost 10 months.