Indian officials were reportedly not informed that Netanyahu’s son would attend his dinner with Modi, which meant that ‘sensitive’ topics couldn’t be discussed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Israel ended on Thursday amid awkward scenes and reported frustration from Indian officials over the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, and son, Yair, at a dinner held in Modi’s honour at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
According to Israeli news site YNet, Indian officials had expected “sensitive talks” to take place during the dinner and were reportedly unaware that Yair Netanyahu would attend, saying that, had they known, they would have arranged for a suitable companion for Modi.
YNet reported that the presence of both Yair and Sara Netanyahu meant that certain sensitive topics could not be discussed. Yair later posted a photo of himself with Modi on Instagram, captioned: “Welcome to Israel, Modi!”
During the dinner, Modi and Netanyahu signed 16 cooperation agreements. However, there was also confusion over seating arrangements, with staff from the offices of Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reportedly switching seats more than once amid protocol disputes.
In the end, Katz did not attend, and Sara Netanyahu joined her husband and Modi for an official photograph.
Further embarrassment was reported on Wednesday after Modi’s address to the Knesset. Netanyahu and Modi were expected to leave together, but Netanyahu was delayed.
He reportedly told Modi he would be only a few minutes, but the delay stretched to around half an hour, frustrating members of the Indian delegation.
Netanyahu praised Modi’s visit as “historic” and described him as “more than a friend, a brother”.
Modi’’s speech to the Knesset was the first by an Indian leader, and came as Israel faces mounting international criticism over its genocidal war in Gaza, which has killed more than 72,000 people, mostly women and children.
Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on war crimes charges and has been unable to visit several European countries that are legally obliged to arrest him.
“India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond,” Modi said during the visit, after condemning the Hamas-led attack in October 2023.
Modi, a Hindu nationalist who has faced accusations of inciting violence against Muslims during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, has strengthened ties with Israel since becoming prime minister in 2014.
The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in defence, trade and cybersecurity, among other areas. Israel also agreed to admit 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years.
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