'Not good sign for Gandhi's India': Mehbooba Mufti on PM Modi's Israel visit

NEW DELHI: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Israel visit, saying his tour to the Jewish state is "not a good sign for Mahatma Gandhi's India".Calling Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "criminal," the former J&K chief minister said he was "afraid of visiting many countries lest he be arrested"."I think our country's policy is against it. Today, the whole world opposes Israel PM Netanyahu. The International Criminal Court has indicted him. He does not visit many countries for fear of arrest. Modi, who represents 140 crore people, goes there and hugs a criminal, meets and talks to him, I think, it is not a good sign for our country, for Gandhi's India," Mehbooba told news agency PTI in Anantnag. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament, during his two-day visit to the West Asian nation, where he landed hours before his speech, which is the first by an Indian PM.Beginning his speech with "Shalom" and "Namaste," PM Modi extended condolences over the "barbaric terrorist attack Hamas carried out on October 7, 2023.PM Modi said "no cause can justify murder of civilians"."We feel your pain..India stands with Israel..in this moment & beyond; no cause can justify murder of civilians," said PM Modi.The moment marked renewed resolve between the two nations against the menace of terrorism, as PM Modi said India “has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time”.PM Modi arrived at the Knesset, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu attended an official reception ceremony on Wednesday.With "Modi, Modi" chants, PM Narendra Modi received a standing ovation at the Knesset upon his arrival.PM Netanyahu described PM Modi as "dear friend" and said he was deeply moved by the visit.