B’luru: Student groups pressure leads to IIFF cutting ties with Israeli consulate
Bengaluru: In response to mounting pressure from student organizations, the Innovative International Film Festival (IIFF) has rescinded its invitation to the Consul General of Israel to South India and withdrawn its plans to feature Israel as one of the “Countries of Focus” for this year’s festival.
This decision comes after a coordinated effort led by various student bodies, including the All India Students Association, Students for People’s Democracy, COLLECTIVE Bangalore, and the Students Islamic Organisation of India. The groups voiced their concerns regarding Israel’s participation at the event, citing Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, which have resulted in widespread civilian casualties and the destruction of educational institutions.
In a joint statement, the student groups expressed their shock at the IIFF’s collaboration with Israeli authorities, particularly in light of Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza and its recent attacks on Lebanon.
They pointed out that the festival’s association with the Israeli government, despite being supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), was inappropriate given Israel’s human rights record.
“We were extremely shocked and concerned that the IIFF was being supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and NFDC, despite partnering with Israeli authorities at a time when Israel has escalated its genocide in Gaza and expanded its sphere of terrorism to Lebanon,” the statement read.
The student groups also criticized several prominent academic institutions in Bengaluru—such as Christ University, St. Joseph’s University, Mount Carmel College, New Horizon College, and Jyoti Nivas College—for affiliating with the film festival. They highlighted the destruction of educational institutions in Gaza, where 80% of schools have reportedly been destroyed, and accused Israeli forces of targeting Palestinian academics.
Following intense pressure from these student organizations, IIFF organizers revised their decision, deleting social media posts promoting Israel’s participation and releasing a new brochure that excluded Israel from the list of countries of focus. The student groups applauded this move, commending the festival organizers for withdrawing from ties with the Israeli authorities.
The release further emphasized the need to oppose what they described as Israel’s attempts to use cultural platforms like film festivals to normalize its image on the international stage. The IIFF had initially promoted various opportunities tied to Israel, including film education exchange programs, joint ventures for film infrastructure, and content production studios.
Furthermore, the student groups raised concerns about efforts being made to influence students through such collaborations, stating that, “students from one of the participating colleges reported that their administrations were pressuring them to perform and participate in the festival.”
The statement reaffirmed the students’ organizations solidarity with the Palestinian people, referencing a recent reiteration of India’s stance on Palestine by the Minister of External Affairs in the Lok Sabha, where India expressed its long-standing support for a two-state solution.
According to the release, the student groups also called on academic institutions across Karnataka to heed the Palestinian Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. They urged colleges and universities to terminate existing collaborations with Israeli institutions and refrain from forming new partnerships, drawing parallels to the successful international boycott of South Africa during its apartheid era.
"This is a moral imperative," the statement added, urging the people to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
