Modi features in Israeli PM Netanyahu's election campaign. Bromance much?
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to tell his countrymen he is in "another league" and his political opponents don't stand a chance of winning the upcoming elections. And to send this message loud and clear, Netanyahu's Likud Party put up posters featuring his pictures with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Here's all about it.
Netanyahu's party is leaving no stone unturned this time
To note, three gigantic banners were hung from Likud's 15-story headquarters in the country's capital Tel Aviv. The posters claimed Netanyahu was "in another league in surrendering to terror". About the campaign, a spokeswoman of the party said the fourth side of the building will not have any poster "as of now". Israel will go to elections on September 17.
So, will Netanyahu be re-elected? Chances are slim
Interestingly, Netanyahu is the longest-serving PM of Israel. With these posters, his party wants to tell that Netanyahu has worked towards strengthening the country's ties with world leaders. However, Ha'aretz columnist Yossi Verter in an opinion piece titled 'Netanyahu's Out of Luck, but He's Hoping a Photo-op With India's Modi Will Help' argued that the premier needs to do more than this.
Facing uncertainty, Netanyahu looks towards world leaders
Since Netanyahu failed to form government, re-elections are being held
To recall, in May Israeli lawmakers had voted 74-45 in favor of dissolving the Parliament as Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government after April 9 polls. Before April elections too, he is learned to have exploited his "closeness" with Trump and Putin to boost his chances. Reportedly, US and Russia announced major concessions for Israel to help Netanyahu's bid, sparking outrage.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Modi's friendship is often talked about
It's also important to note that Netanyahu's friendship with PM Modi is widely discussed by his country's press. After PM Modi got a resounding victory in summer elections, Netanyahu called him up. Congratulating his "friend", he had said PM Modi doesn't need the support of other parties, but he does. In fact, he wanted to come to India before April polls but couldn't due to scheduling issues.
You don't need coalition, I do: Netanyahu had said
Far from being welcomed, Netanyahu's posters invited demonstrations in Israel
Now, Netanyahu must be hoping his "global campaign" strikes a chord with voters, but it received brickbats instead. On Sunday, some 40 Russian-speakers planned a demonstration against Netanyahu-Putin poster. "We believe that it is extremely inappropriate for an Israeli PM to use photos of a corrupt autocrat in campaign posters, especially considering yesterday's brutal crackdown on a peaceful demonstration in Moscow," a spokesperson said.
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