PM Modi will be boycotted if he goes to Israel! Why did the opposition leader say such a thing in Parliament?

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Israel tour is going to start from February 25. This is a two-day visit, in which he can address the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), but this visit is embroiled in controversies in Israeli domestic politics. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has threatened to boycott Modi’s Parliament address.

Controversy related to Justice Isaac Amit

This threat is regarding Israel’s Supreme Court President Justice Isaac Amit. Justice Amit was elected Chief Justice in January 2025, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government repeatedly ignored him. Justice Minister Yariv Levin did not recognize his appointment and did not even publish it in the official gazette. Many government ministers avoid addressing Justice Amit as Chief Justice.

Earlier, he was not even invited to the addresses of US President Donald Trump and other world leaders. In October 2025, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called him only an ordinary judge, to which President Isaac Herzog objected.

Lapid’s strict warning

Speaking in the Knesset on Wednesday, Yair Lapid said that if the ruling coalition does not invite Justice Amit to Modi’s special session, the opposition will also boycott. He said, "This would be a great embarrassment for the Knesset. We do not want the Prime Minister of India to address a half-empty House. The Indian Embassy is also worried about this."

Lapid stressed that according to protocol the presence of the Chief Justice is necessary. The opposition had also boycotted the 77th anniversary of the Knesset two weeks ago.

Speaker’s counterattack

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attacked Lapid. He said that Lapid is endangering the strong Israel-India relationship for the sake of domestic politics. Ohana tweeted and asked why there was no boycott in the absence of Justice Amit in the address of leaders like Trump and Argentine President Javier Milli?

Lapid responded that the speaker was at fault and that Netanyahu should be instructed to call Justice Amit. He said that the boycott would damage the credibility of the Knesset and the dignity of the country.