Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel is being called historic but this historicity has much to do with historicism. A very common idea of historicism is that what happened a 100 years ago was bound to happen, and it shaped whats happening today. In the light of this belief, it can be assumed that some unusual events must have occurred that paved the way for Modi’s Israel sojourn.
In April 2016, Russia recognised West Jerusalem as Israeli capital. We reaffirm our commitment to the UN-approved principles for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement, which include the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. At the same time, we must state that in this context we view West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Russian Foreign Ministry issued this unexpected statement.
East Jerusalem as capital of future Palestinian state signifies that Russia supports two state solution. Many Israelis saw this as an achievement for Israel, but many were displeased.
After this ambivalence towards Russia, Israelis were looking forward to American president Donald trump to fulfill his promise and declare the whole of Jerusalem as their capital, but adding more to their dismay, Trump signed a waiver to abstain from moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May. It was shocking because Trump had promised various times that he will move American embassy to Jerusalem.
Soon disheartened Israelis joined disgruntled Arab allies of US and slammed Iran for backing Yemen and Syria. It seemed like America and all its Arab allies were clearly confronting Iran. Interestingly coinciding with these developments Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei clubbed Kashmir with Yemen and Bahrain. Muslims the world over should also openly support the people of Bahrain, Kashmir and Yemen and repudiate oppressors and tyrants who attacked people in Ramadan, Ayatollah said in his Eid sermon. This statement was shocking for indian analysts, as it not only bracketed Kashmir with Yemen and Bahrain but declared india as a tyrant and oppressor. Iran was making it clear to India that more they move closer to Israel and the US, Iran wont hesitate in making its priorities known.
Indian foreign policy has so far tried to strike a balance between Iran and America. Perhaps despite being rattled by Ayatollah’s remarks New Delhi choose not to protest, at least publicly.
Since the Iranian leaders statement came on the eve of Mr Modi’s tour of Israel, the bitter enemy of Islamic Republic, the reality that Mr Modi’s visit to Tel Aviv has more to do with Iran and US than Kashmir and Palestine, can not escape the gaze of analysts.
Mr Modi will be spending a lot of time with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu since he has ample time at hand as he has decided to skip Ramallah, the de-facto Palestinian capital. As it is customary for world leaders visiting Israel to also pay a visit to Ramallah, Modi’s decision has caused lot of unease among Palestinian authority.
Palestinian president called Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz sharif the other day to express grief over the massive loss of life in Bahawalpur accident and reminded Pakistani PM, Palestinians were there for Pakistan in every bad time (of course he expects Pakistan to be there for Palestine too).
After what Trump administration and Moscow signified by their stance on Jerusalem, it makes sense that why Israeli media is viewing Modi as worlds most important PM as they are looking forward to team up with rising India.
Similarly while Iran and Palestine are teaming up with Pakistan, India definitely needs the back up. So for both the countries, in fact for all countries mentioned above, there will be a lot of outcomes from this tour.
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