Israel PM Naftali Bennett's India visit postponed - Here's why

Israel PM Naftali Bennett was scheduled to visit India from April 3 to April 5.

TN National Desk

Updated Mar 29, 2022, 12:43 IST

Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tests positive for COVID

Photo : ANI

New Delhi: The visit of Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett to India has been postponed, Muhamed Heib, Spokesperson of the Israeli Embassy in India said on Tuesday. Naftali Bennett was scheduled to visit India from April 3 to April 5. The decision to postpone Israel PM's India visit was taken after Bennett tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

"The Prime Minister is feeling well and will continue to work from home," a statement from his office said on Monday. According to local media reports, the Israeli PM attended a meeting in Hadera, where two Israeli border policemen were killed in a terror attack.

'Unmasked' Bennett met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

He also held a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Times of Israel newspaper reported that Bennett was unmasked. In what has raised concerns, after meeting Bennett, Blinken went on to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Morocco Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Bennett would be visiting India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Former Israel prime minister and now Leader of Opposition Benjamin Netanyahu wished Bennett a speedy recovery. "Health before everything. Wishing a full recovery to Naftali Bennett," Netanyahu said.

Israel has been witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases reportedly due to the Omicron BA.2 strain. There has, however, been no increase in the severity of infections reported in that country.

Latest News