<p>Critically acclaimed film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which also earned an Oscar nomination this year in the Best International Film category, has been blocked from release in India. According to reports, the film’s Indian distributors have claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the film over fears that it may lead to a strain in the relationship with Israel.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated film feted worldwide, has reportedly been blocked from release in India. A new report quotes the Indian distributor of the film saying that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the film over fears that it may harm India’s relationship with Israel. The Voice of Hind Rajab is the story of a 6-year-old girl who gets trapped in a car in war-torn Gaza.</p><h2>Why has the release of The Voice of Hind Rajab been blocked in India?</h2><p>According to a report in Variety, the film was scheduled to release in India in March but has now been blocked and will not release in India at all. &nbsp;The film has been directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Distributor Manoj Nandwana, who was getting the film to India, told the publication that the CBFC refused to certify the film. Nandwana said that a CBFC member told him, “If it gets released, it would break up the India-Israel relationship.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/-disappointed-and-unhappy-netizens-decode-priyanka-chopra-s-reaction-as-javier-bardem-says-free-palestine-at-oscars-2026-watch-1773660362609">Disappointed and unhappy': Netizens decode Priyanka Chopra's reaction as Javier Bardem says 'Free Palestine' at Oscars 2026 | Watch</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The distributor added, “I told them: the India-Israel relationship is so strong that it’s idiotic to think this movie will break it. The Voice of Hind Rajab has been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France and many other countries that have a relationship with Israel. But they want to censor it anyway.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What is The Voice of Hind Rajab about?</h2><p>The film is a docu drama and follows the members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society as they try to reach 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who was stuck in a vehicle in Gaza while under fire from the Israel Defence Forces.</p><p>Based on a true story about the killing of Hind Rajab, the film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and six other parallel prizes. The film, starring Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury, was released theatrically in November 2025.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-2026-highlights-viral-moments-that-stole-the-show-at-the-98th-academy-awards-1773642875126">Oscars 2026 highlights: Viral moments that stole the show at the 98th Academy Awards</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Hind Rajab was killed by the Israeli security forces during skirmishes in the Gaza Strip in January 2024. The forces also allegedly killed six of her family members and two paramedics coming to her rescue. The incident had caused an international uproar over human rights abuses in the Gaza conflict.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p> </p><p> </p><p>The film Voice Of Hind Rajab fechted nomination in Best Non-English Language Film at the Golden Globe Awards this year, as well as for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. The film however, did not win any of these awards.  </p>

Oscar nominated film The Voice Of Hind Rajab was scheduled to release in India in March. However, the film's release has been blocked by the Indian censor board fearing its release would effect India-Israel ties. 

Critically acclaimed film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which also earned an Oscar nomination this year in the Best International Film category, has been blocked from release in India. According to reports, the film’s Indian distributors have claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the film over fears that it may lead to a strain in the relationship with Israel. The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated film feted worldwide, has reportedly been blocked from release in India. A new report quotes the Indian distributor of the film saying that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the film over fears that it may harm India’s relationship with Israel. The Voice of Hind Rajab is the story of a 6-year-old girl who gets trapped in a car in war-torn Gaza. Why has the release of The Voice of Hind Rajab been blocked in India? According to a report in Variety, the film was scheduled to release in India in March but has now been blocked and will not release in India at all. The film has been directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Distributor Manoj Nandwana, who was getting the film to India, told the publication that the CBFC refused to certify the film. Nandwana said that a CBFC member told him, “If it gets released, it would break up the India-Israel relationship.” Also read: 'Disappointed and unhappy': Netizens decode Priyanka Chopra's reaction as Javier Bardem says 'Free Palestine' at Oscars 2026 | Watch The distributor added, “I told them: the India-Israel relationship is so strong that it’s idiotic to think this movie will break it. The Voice of Hind Rajab has been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France and many other countries that have a relationship with Israel. But they want to censor it anyway.” What is The Voice of Hind Rajab about? The film is a docu drama and follows the members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society as they try to reach 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who was stuck in a vehicle in Gaza while under fire from the Israel Defence Forces. Based on a true story about the killing of Hind Rajab, the film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and six other parallel prizes. The film, starring Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury, was released theatrically in November 2025. Also read: Oscars 2026 highlights: Viral moments that stole the show at the 98th Academy Awards Hind Rajab was killed by the Israeli security forces during skirmishes in the Gaza Strip in January 2024. The forces also allegedly killed six of her family members and two paramedics coming to her rescue. The incident had caused an international uproar over human rights abuses in the Gaza conflict.

<p>Oscar nominated film The Voice Of Hind Rajab was scheduled to release in India in March. However, the film's release has been blocked by the Indian censor board fearing its release would effect India-Israel ties.&nbsp;</p>

'Would break India-Israel ties': CBFC refuses to clear Oscar-nominated Gaza film The Voice of Hind Rajab

WION World Pulse: Israeli Ambassador on India-Israel Bilateral Relations

WION Pulse: India-Israel Bilateral Relations; Israeli Ambassador on WION Pulse 

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, India and Israel upgraded their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” The leaders signed multiple agreements, including MoUs in defence, trade, technology, and innovation, strengthening bilateral cooperation. This historic step reflects deepening diplomatic, economic, and security ties, marking a new era in India-Israel relations with long-term strategic collaboration.


PM Modi in Israel: India and Israel Level-up Bilateral Ties to Special Strategic Partnership

<p>Israeli opposition walked out from Knesset ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and parliament speaker Amir Ohana's speech, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Knesset. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid re-entered the Parliament following Netanyahu’s speech, welcomed Prime Minister Modi and assured him it had “nothing to do with you”.&nbsp;</p><p>The opposition leader, after walking out of the Parliament, issued a statement. “We will only return for the Indian prime minister’s speech to respect the alliance between the countries and express our appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s standing by Israel,” read the statement. Israeli opposition, including Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu, has staged the walkout to protest the exclusion of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the session, which they viewed as a snub to the judiciary.&nbsp;</p><p>To avoid the embarrassment of having empty seats on an international broadcast, the Knesset sent an email blast to all former legislators. This also included a few specific former members of the Knesset whom the speaker wanted to invite.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-gandhi-swipe-modi-gaza-knesset-israel-visit-1772005822914"><strong>Hope he mentions the 'genocide' in Gaza: Priyanka Gandhi takes a jab at Modi</strong></a></p><p>During the visit, PM Modi was conferred with the &nbsp;Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament. “The entire State of Israel is filled with admiration for your leadership, for your friendship, for the fact that you were here for us in our time of trouble, and for the alliance, the eternal alliance between our two states," he told Modi.</p><p>PM Modi's visit to Israel was met with severe criticism from the West Asian media. His visit is seen as “strategic legitimising” of the “genocide” in Gaza. India has abandoned its historical "anti-colonial" moral standing. It is decoupling itself from Palestine and is failing to confront Israel on the issues of international law and human rights. Both Modi's India and Netanyahu's Israel have a shared friendship through Islamophobia and a common enemy of Islamic terrorism. Modi condemned the October 7 attack as “barbaric”, but did not mention the historical exploitation and injustice against the Palestinian in their homeland.&nbsp;</p>

Israeli opposition staged a walkout in the Knesset during PM Narendra Modi’s visit, protesting the judiciary's exclusion, before returning to welcome the Indian leader.

Israeli opposition walked out from Knesset ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and parliament speaker Amir Ohana's speech, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Knesset. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid re-entered the Parliament following Netanyahu’s speech, welcomed Prime Minister Modi and assured him it had “nothing to do with you”. The opposition leader, after walking out of the Parliament, issued a statement. “We will only return for the Indian prime minister’s speech to respect the alliance between the countries and express our appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s standing by Israel,” read the statement. Israeli opposition, including Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu, has staged the walkout to protest the exclusion of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the session, which they viewed as a snub to the judiciary. To avoid the embarrassment of having empty seats on an international broadcast, the Knesset sent an email blast to all former legislators. This also included a few specific former members of the Knesset whom the speaker wanted to invite. Also read: Hope he mentions the 'genocide' in Gaza: Priyanka Gandhi takes a jab at Modi During the visit, PM Modi was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament. “The entire State of Israel is filled with admiration for your leadership, for your friendship, for the fact that you were here for us in our time of trouble, and for the alliance, the eternal alliance between our two states," he told Modi. PM Modi's visit to Israel was met with severe criticism from the West Asian media. His visit is seen as “strategic legitimising” of the “genocide” in Gaza. India has abandoned its historical "anti-colonial" moral standing. It is decoupling itself from Palestine and is failing to confront Israel on the issues of international law and human rights. Both Modi's India and Netanyahu's Israel have a shared friendship through Islamophobia and a common enemy of Islamic terrorism. Modi condemned the October 7 attack as “barbaric”, but did not mention the historical exploitation and injustice against the Palestinian in their homeland.

<p>Israeli opposition staged a walkout in the Knesset during PM Narendra Modi’s visit, protesting the judiciary's exclusion, before returning to welcome the Indian leader.</p>

Israeli opposition stages walkout during Narendra Modi's Knesset visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press briefing highlighting the strength of India-Israel ties, with focus on defence cooperation, technology partnerships, innovation, and regional security. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic collaboration between India and Israel, underscoring shared interests in counterterrorism, trade, and advanced technological cooperation.


India-Israel Ties: PM Modi Netanyahu Hold Joint Press Briefing 

India-Israel ties are set to take centre stage as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Discussions are expected to focus on defence upgrades, strategic cooperation, advanced military technology, and regional security challenges. The meeting underscores the growing partnership between India and Israel, with emphasis on innovation, counterterrorism, and long-term strategic collaboration.


India-Israel Ties: Modi-Netanyahu Talks Likely to Focus on Defence Upgrades 

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 25 visit to Israel, India is poised to strengthen strategic and defence ties, with key discussions expected around joint missile defence systems, laser weapon technologies, and enhanced long-range stand-off capabilities.


India-Israel Ties: PM Modi's Israel Visit to Boost Strategic and Defence Ties

<p>By engaging with Israel, Narendra Modi, in one stroke, broke India&rsquo;s Nehruvian consensus about West Asia and ties with the Muslim world. Despite secret but heavy-duty engagement, the policy of engagement with Israel was not acknowledged publically in the past. Modi abandoned this narrative to recreate the relationship. He has the advantage of a clear majority, irrelevant Left, and ideologically marginalised Congress. It is this space that Modi continues to utilise by making bold decisions, both in national and international matters.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Congress in its 10 years of being in power did not break the West Asian Nehru-Indira code because of legacy issues.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Congress in its 10 years of being in power did not break the West Asian Nehru-Indira code because of legacy issues." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Despite the rise of radical Islam, the Congress in its 10 years of being in power did not break the West Asian Nehru-Indira code because of legacy issues. Narendra Modi, on the other hand, has no such obligations which gives him the freedom to navigate his country and the world through his own life experiences.</p>

<p>Very few would recall that Modi, in a very famous debate, snubbed the television panel by saying that it took India 9/11 to use the word &quot;Islamic terrorism&quot; which the countrymen, otherwise,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>could not do it by themselves. He also added that this reality needs to be acknowledged by Indians as well. Even though Vajpayee was then the prime minister of India, Modi&rsquo;s vision of the international order seemed more candid. It not only reflected his vision, but also Modi&#39;s&nbsp;upbringing through the rank and file of the Sangh Parivar.</p>

<p>The idea of young nations and old civilisations should also be read into seriously. Modi maintains the same line for domestic politics and says that India, as a nation, evolved in multiple directions because of migration but at the same time, retains core ethical sensibilities based on ancient civilisational heritage. He uses the terminology &ldquo;indic&rdquo; and &ldquo;the heart of Indianness&rdquo; with a definite purpose. This sensibility reflects in all of Modi&rsquo;s speeches--both domestic and international.<strong> </strong>It leaves the &ldquo;medieval&rdquo; as a period when sensibilities tied to the land got subdued because of different ethnicities from Afghanistan and beyond created kingdoms for themselves in the subcontinent.</p>

<p>The same goes for Israel, which despite being a multi-ethnic place and a melting pot of races, today is identified as a nation with deep roots in ancient past, negating the course of medieval history. Both visions are historically contested and create core-values around which national interest thrives. Lastly, Israel fought its way to the present and continues to battle Islamic terrorism.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The essence of the imagination is the belief that a strong nation is forged through &lsquo;public&rsquo; sacrifice, stealth and force.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The essence of the imagination is the belief that a strong nation is forged through ?public? sacrifice, stealth and force." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>A certain section of the Indian political circle dreamt and hoped that Israel defeats its enemies in the particular circumstances,&nbsp;for the reason, that Israel&#39;s example could then&nbsp;be replicated in India. The essence of the imagination is the belief that a strong nation is forged through &lsquo;public&nbsp;sacrifice&#39;, stealth and force. It is this common ideology that brings India and Israel together.</p>

<p>Barring Kashmir, Vajpayee did not leave any foreign policy doctrine. Firstly, he did not have the numbers. Moreover, he never publicly acknowledged the diplomatic breaks he achieved by not offending the embedded foreign policy sensibilities, lest it invited a united opposition. Modi, on the other hand, not only changes the Nehru-Gandhi ownership around defense and foreign policy but also politically consumes it and contrasts it with the older order as archaic and without utility in the new world. It is for this very reason that both surgical strike and Israel&rsquo;s visit needs to be seen together. Such strikes were common during UPA, but Modi changed the game by announcing it.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Modi&rsquo;s bold step of making Israel its most trusted alliance in West Asia is something Congress or Left would have never allowed because of its historical investments that pointed in the other direction.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Modi?s bold step of making Israel its most trusted alliance in West Asia is something Congress or Left would have never allowed because of its historical investments that pointed in the other direction." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Similarly, 25 years of full diplomatic relations is an incidental reason for this paradigmatic shift in the policy towards Israel. This shift comes with Modi becoming politically stable and the Opposition in India becoming very weak. It gives Modi&nbsp;the bandwidth to take bold foreign policy decisions that are based on the ideological locus of the Indian organisation he grew up with.</p>

<p>His policies will continue to disrupt and change Nehru-Gandhi consensus on foreign policy, courtesy his personal and impersonal network. Modi continues to challenge the imprints of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty in various aspects of the government. Israel is one statement of it.</p>

<p>The only differentiator is that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally shares the excitement and Narendra Modi has responded positively. Other collaborations will continue but Modi&rsquo;s bold step of making Israel its most trusted alliance in West Asia is something Congress or Left would have never allowed because of its historical investments that pointed in the other direction.</p>


Modi challenges the imprints of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty in various aspects of the government. Israel is one statement of it.

By engaging with Israel, Narendra Modi, in one stroke, broke India’s Nehruvian consensus about West Asia and ties with the Muslim world. Despite secret but heavy-duty engagement, the policy of engagement with Israel was not acknowledged publically in the past. Modi abandoned this narrative to recreate the relationship. He has the advantage of a clear majority, irrelevant Left, and ideologically marginalised Congress. It is this space that Modi continues to utilise by making bold decisions, both in national and international matters. Congress in its 10 years of being in power did not break the West Asian Nehru-Indira code because of legacy issues. × Despite the rise of radical Islam, the Congress in its 10 years of being in power did not break the West Asian Nehru-Indira code because of legacy issues. Narendra Modi, on the other hand, has no such obligations which gives him the freedom to navigate his country and the world through his own life experiences. Very few would recall that Modi, in a very famous debate, snubbed the television panel by saying that it took India 9/11 to use the word "Islamic terrorism" which the countrymen, otherwise, could not do it by themselves. He also added that this reality needs to be acknowledged by Indians as well. Even though Vajpayee was then the prime minister of India, Modi’s vision of the international order seemed more candid. It not only reflected his vision, but also Modi's upbringing through the rank and file of the Sangh Parivar. The idea of young nations and old civilisations should also be read into seriously. Modi maintains the same line for domestic politics and says that India, as a nation, evolved in multiple directions because of migration but at the same time, retains core ethical sensibilities based on ancient civilisational heritage. He uses the terminology “indic” and “the heart of Indianness” with a definite purpose. This sensibility reflects in all of Modi’s speeches--both domestic and international. It leaves the “medieval” as a period when sensibilities tied to the land got subdued because of different ethnicities from Afghanistan and beyond created kingdoms for themselves in the subcontinent. The same goes for Israel, which despite being a multi-ethnic place and a melting pot of races, today is identified as a nation with deep roots in ancient past, negating the course of medieval history. Both visions are historically contested and create core-values around which national interest thrives. Lastly, Israel fought its way to the present and continues to battle Islamic terrorism. The essence of the imagination is the belief that a strong nation is forged through ‘public’ sacrifice, stealth and force. × A certain section of the Indian political circle dreamt and hoped that Israel defeats its enemies in the particular circumstances, for the reason, that Israel's example could then be replicated in India. The essence of the imagination is the belief that a strong nation is forged through ‘public sacrifice', stealth and force. It is this common ideology that brings India and Israel together. Barring Kashmir, Vajpayee did not leave any foreign policy doctrine. Firstly, he did not have the numbers. Moreover, he never publicly acknowledged the diplomatic breaks he achieved by not offending the embedded foreign policy sensibilities, lest it invited a united opposition. Modi, on the other hand, not only changes the Nehru-Gandhi ownership around defense and foreign policy but also politically consumes it and contrasts it with the older order as archaic and without utility in the new world. It is for this very reason that both surgical strike and Israel’s visit needs to be seen together. Such strikes were common during UPA, but Modi changed the game by announcing it. Modi’s bold step of making Israel its most trusted alliance in West Asia is something Congress or Left would have never allowed because of its historical investments that pointed in the other direction. × Similarly, 25 years of full diplomatic relations is an incidental reason for this paradigmatic shift in the policy towards Israel. This shift comes with Modi becoming politically stable and the Opposition in India becoming very weak. It gives Modi the bandwidth to take bold foreign policy decisions that are based on the ideological locus of the Indian organisation he grew up with. His policies will continue to disrupt and change Nehru-Gandhi consensus on foreign policy, courtesy his personal and impersonal network. Modi continues to challenge the imprints of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty in various aspects of the government. Israel is one statement of it. The only differentiator is that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally shares the excitement and Narendra Modi has responded positively. Other collaborations will continue but Modi’s bold step of making Israel its most trusted alliance in West Asia is something Congress or Left would have never allowed because of its historical investments that pointed in the other direction.

In building a friendship with Israel, PM Modi breaks the Nehruvian consensus