Kerala CM slams Centre for hosting Israeli minister amid Gaza conflict
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday criticized the central government for hosting Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is on a three-day visit to India from September 8 to 10.
In a post on X, Vijayan described Smotrich as a “far-right extremist” and one of the key architects of Israel’s “brutal occupation and expansionist agenda.”
“At a time when a genocide is unfolding in Gaza, entering into agreements with representatives of the Netanyahu regime is nothing short of a betrayal of India’s historic solidarity with Palestine,” he wrote.
The chief minister added that it was deplorable to continue military, security and economic engagement with Israel while the pursuit of a just and lasting peace for Palestine remains ignored.
During his visit, Smotrich met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday and signed a bilateral investment agreement aimed at promoting and protecting investments in both countries.