The Israeli Prime Minister has tested positive for Covid.
Key Takeaways:
- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tested positive for coronavirus disease just days before his scheduled visit to India (Covid-19).
Days before his scheduled visit to India, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19). According to Bennett's office, the Israeli Prime Minister is in good health and will continue to work while self-isolating at home.
Bennett announced his first official visit to India earlier this month at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation. Bennett was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi and other senior govt officials, as well as visit the country's Jewish community, during his visit.
As quoted by his office, Bennett said, "I am happy to pay my 1st official visit to India at the invitation of my buddy, Prime Minister Modi, and together, we will continue to lead the way for our countries' relations."
As per the Israel Public Ministry, the main objective of the visit was to advance and strengthen the strategic alliance between the two countries and expand bilateral ties.
"The leaders will also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including innovation, the economy, research as well as development, agriculture, and more," according to Bennett's office.
The visit would have coincided with the 30th anniversary of the two countries' full diplomatic relations, which were established in 1992, 42 years after India recognized Israel. With PM Modi's visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, the two countries relations were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2017.
Bennett had a positive test. The visit scheduled for April 2 could now be jeopardized due to Covid's actions.
On the sidelines of a "historic summit" of Israeli and Arab diplomats, Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem on Sunday.