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Leaders from Israel and India expressed support for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian conflict – without openly endorsing a two-state solution.
A joint statement endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cites their support for the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, but does not mention or endorse a two-state solution.
The two leaders on Wednesday published a document with 22 clauses marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between their countries and summarizing Modi’s historic first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.
The document states that the visit “solidified the enduring friendship between their peoples and raised the bilateral relationship to that of a strategic partnership.”
The document pertains to various facets of the relations and growing cooperation between the two nations.
Clause 20 relates to the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians.
While the two prime ministers acknowledged “the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace in the region” and “reaffirmed their support for an early negotiated solution between the sides based on mutual recognition and security arrangements,” they did not state a specific solution nor did they endorse any final plan or mention the two state solution.
India has recognized the non-existent “state of Palestine,” but Modi appears to be steering away from the Palestinians and towards Israel.
A meeting with the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah is notably absent from Modi’s agenda, with the Indian government saying it believes the prime minister’s standalone visit to Israel serves to further “underline the significance of India’s special ties with the Jewish nation.”
One senior Indian official told the Jerusalem Post it was not his country’s style to engage in “megaphone diplomacy,” or go to other countries and lecture them on what they need to do.
He said this is because, to a large degree, India does not like it when other countries come to India and lecture it about relations with Pakistan.
Strong Stance Against Terrorism
With both countries threatened by Muslim terror, the statement elaborated on the war on terrorism.
Clause 14 state that “recognizing that terrorism poses a grave threat to global peace and stability, the two Prime Ministers reiterated their strong commitment to combat it in all its forms and manifestations.”
“They stressed that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever. The leaders asserted that strong measures should be taken against terrorists, terror organizations, their networks and all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups,” the statement said.
Such a statement could serve a severe blow to the Palestinian Authority, which extensively supports such terrorism.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
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