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A group of 16 Sri Lankan journalists has been flown to Israel on a five-day study programme arranged by the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, in what critics have described as a propaganda exercise to whitewash Tel Aviv’s assault on Gaza.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, confirmed the visit, saying the trip was designed to give “a clearer understanding of the country’s current situation.” The delegation is set to meet senior officials from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence.
“Our journalists will also observe humanitarian aid operations in the Gaza Strip, which is an important part of understanding Israel’s realities on the ground,” Bandara said.
The Ambassador hosted the journalists at a dinner alongside Israel’s Consul General in Sri Lanka, Dinesh Rodrigo, Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul in Northern Israel, Dr Annette Bernstein Reich, and Deputy Head of Mission Hemantha Ekanayake.
The visit comes as Israel faces growing global condemnation for its bombardment of Gaza, which has left tens of thousands dead, including thousands of children, and levelled entire neighbourhoods. International human rights groups have accused Israel of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, while the International Court of Justice is currently hearing a genocide case against Tel Aviv.
Despite this, Colombo has repeatedly bolstered ties with Israel.
