Israeli opposition figures say the award was created without transparency or due process, and underscores the growing dysfunction of the Knesset under Netanyahu

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the “Knesset Medal” for his contribution to the Israeli and Jewish people.

Within hours, and predictably so, headlines in the Indian press proclaimed that Israel had presented Modi with its highest parliamentary honour.

But there were a few problems with the award.

No one had ever heard of such an award until it was announced during Knesset speaker Amir Ohana’s opening remarks. And until the gold-plated bronze medal was draped around Modi’s neck, no one had ever seen it.

According to members of the Israeli opposition, Ohana had simply “invented” it. Before Modi’s visit, it didn’t exist.

  • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.clubEnglish
    13·
    9 hours ago

    Well, awards have to get invented at some point.

    I can also see an award like this being useful for the future.

      • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.clubEnglish
        22·
        6 hours ago

        But it worked. This kind of shit happens in diplomacy all the time.

        And now Israel has a made up award it can give to other leaders as a tool of diplomacy.