Netanyahu's Views on India, Israel, and the Information War

Netanyahu talked about India.

He mentioned it in an interview with 60 Minutes. He suggested India was a sign of real global support for Israel.

The Prime Minister described his trip there as a "love fest." He said Israel is still very popular among India’s nearly 1.4 billion people.

He praised his connection with Narendra Modi. Modi apparently got a warm welcome when he visited Israel. Netanyahu recalled traveling with his wife Sara. The reception showed deep public affection for Israel.

He then shifted gears. He talked about the noise out there.

“I think there’s been a concerted effort,” he said. “By several states—to basically vilify Israel—mostly on social media. And the standard media too, but that’s less effective. The real punch is on social media.”

He admitted they haven't fought back yet. They have to.

But there are places where respect exists. He pointed to India. India has a billion and four hundred million people. Israel is popular there.

Prime Minister Modi was Greeted with great affection when he arrived. But Netanyahu said you should see. He was there with Sara. It was a love fest. And there are other places. Happening now in some parts of the Arab world.

The global perception of Israel and the Gaza war, he argued, is being shaped unfairly. By social media campaigns. By certain parts of the Western media.

He claimed there was this coordinated effort. Several countries pushing to vilify Israel. Through social media, mainly.

He noted the media played a part too. But social media was more powerful.

Israel hadn't really responded to the misinformation. The propaganda. He said they have to step up the effort in the "information war."

He criticized some international media outlets. Mentioning the New York Times. Some outlets just ignore stories that don't fit their line.

Then there was the topic of antisemitism. Netanyahu brought it up. He described it as a recurring problem throughout history. Hatred against Jewish people rises and falls. But it keeps coming back, even in advanced societies.

He acknowledged that earlier periods of antisemitism brought violence. Massacres. But he argued something changed. Modern Israel has the military strength now. They can defend themselves. Prevent those kinds of attacks from succeeding.

This strength earned respect. Some countries, including parts of the Arab world. Netanyahu suggested Israel’s power reduces the belief that the country can simply be eliminated.

The focus swung to Iran. The tension there. Netanyahu said Israel acted decisively against threats from the Iranian government.

They weakened Iran’s nuclear program. Their missile program. Their military setup. Israeli operations targeted senior figures linked to Iran.

One big achievement, he claimed, was eliminating scientists. Twenty top nuclear scientists allegedly connected to the atomic program. Twelve were killed in the first minute of what he called "Operation Rising Lion." Eight more later.

These actions, he insisted, pushed back Iran’s nuclear ambitions. They stopped what he called a major existential threat.

He was then asked about accountability for October 7.

He admitted responsibility was spread out. From the Prime Minister down through the entire security and military structure.

But he pushed for something concrete. An independent, bipartisan commission. Like the one the US set up after 9/11.

He said he’d appear before it. And the investigation needed to be non-political.

He defended the government’s moves after the attacks. Israel had systematically pushed back. Against threats on many fronts. Preventing further attacks.

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Sheema Kirmani and Activism in Pakistan

Meanwhile, something else was happening online.

Pakistani dancer and activist Sheema Kirmani is getting a lot of attention. Videos surfaced showing her being escorted by policewomen in Karachi.

These clips spread fast on social media. They sparked huge reactions about women’s rights and freedom of expression in Pakistan.

People started searching for who Sheema Kirmani is. Younger viewers recognized her from the Coke Studio song Pasoori by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill.

According to Dawn , Sheema Kirmani was among seven Aurat March activists who were briefly detained by Sindh Police near the Karachi Press Club on May 5.

They had gathered there for a press conference. They were demanding a no-objection certificate for the march.

Later, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar reportedly ordered the detainees released. The Aurat March organizers confirmed that Sheema Kirmani and transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai were released soon after.

The videos of Kirmani being escorted by the police spread quickly. Outrage followed. Supporters and activists felt the visuals were disturbing. This was because of her long history in Pakistan’s cultural and feminist movements.

Sheema Kirmani is one of Pakistan’s most recognized classical dancers. A theatre artist. A women’s rights activist. Born in 1951 in Rawalpindi. She spent decades in dance, theatre, and activism.

She is known for promoting Bharatanatyam in Pakistan, even when conservative groups pushed back.

She became known to younger audiences through the Pasoori music video. Her Bharatanatyam performance got global praise. It brought her work to a wider audience outside Pakistan.

Beyond dance, she founded Tehrik-e-Niswan. A cultural and women’s rights group. They’ve worked on theatre, education, and gender issues since the late seventies.

Over the years, she has spoken openly about women’s rights. About inequality. About artistic freedom in Pakistan.

Her activism really sharpened during General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule. Strict cultural rules were put in place. Dance performances faced opposition, reports say. Yet, she kept performing and teaching classical dance.

She comes from a known family. Her father served in the Pakistan Army. Later he became chairman of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation.

Her family history stretches back. Linked to Lucknow in India and Hyderabad Deccan. Some of it traces back to Kerman in Iran.

She later married theatre actor and writer Khalid Ahmed. Both remained deeply connected to Pakistan’s arts scene.