Hummus or Hamas? Pranabda leaves Israelis puzzled

October 14, 2015 05:33 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 03:54 pm IST

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 14:  (ISRAEL OUT) In this handout from the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shakes hands with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at the Knesset on October 14, 2015 in Jerusalem, Israel.  Mukherjee is visiting Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel during a six-day visit to the region.  (Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO via Getty Images)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 14: (ISRAEL OUT) In this handout from the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shakes hands with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at the Knesset on October 14, 2015 in Jerusalem, Israel. Mukherjee is visiting Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel during a six-day visit to the region. (Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO via Getty Images)

President Pranab Mukherjee's attempt at culinary bonhomie with the Israelis during his address to the Knesset left a bit of bad taste.

In his address on Wednesday, he said: "Indian population enjoy the taste of hummus, an Arab food item." However, he pronunced it as hamas, the Palestinian militant group that presently rules Gaza Strip and a sworn enemy of Israel.

The Hindu 's correspondent at the event saw the Israeli MPs look at each other for a moment after that reference. Hopefully not much was read into the slip.

The President arrived in Jerusalem on Tuesday after visiting Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

>Take a look at the live updates of the event here .

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