Israeli opposition threatens boycott of PM Modi’s Parliament address

Jerusalem: Domestic political tensions have intensified ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's potential visit to Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid threatening to boycott Modi's address to Parliament if the Supreme Court chief is not invited, as is traditional. Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25th for a two-day visit. During this visit, he is scheduled to address the Knesset (Israeli Parliament). Modi will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Opposition insists on inviting Supreme Court Chief Justice

Opposition leader Lapid has insisted that Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit be invited to Modi's address to Parliament. Opposition party sources say this is not a boycott call, but rather that the government is "deliberately trying to embarrass us."

Threatened to boycott PM Modi's address

Lapid recently told Parliament, "We spoke with the Indian Embassy... They are worried about this. Indian Prime Minister Modi has been invited to the Israeli Parliament next Wednesday, which is an honor for all of us. Lapid told lawmakers, "If the coalition boycotts the head of the Supreme Court during the special session with the Indian Prime Minister, we will not be able to participate in the discussion."

The opposition leader said this about India

"We don't want India to be embarrassed because of us, and that the Prime Minister of a country of one billion people is standing here in front of a half-empty parliament." Israel's domestic politics is embroiled in a heated debate over judicial reforms.

Dispute between the Chief Justice and the Netanyahu Government

Since Yitzhak was elected President of the Supreme Court in January 2025, Justice Minister Yariv Levin has refused to recognize his authority as Chief Justice and has refused to meet with him or address him as head of the court. According to national law, his name as Chief Justice is not even published in the gazette.