Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a standing ovation in Israel’s parliament on Wednesday as he delivered a historic address to the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to speak before the Israeli legislature. Lawmakers rose to their feet and chanted his name as Modi began his remarks by conveying greetings from 1.4 billion Indians.
In his speech, the prime minister strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated India’s firm policy of zero tolerance toward extremist violence. Referring to the October 7 attack, Modi emphasized that acts of terror anywhere pose a threat to peace everywhere, underlining the need for coordinated global action. He also praised Israel’s leadership and vision in advancing the Abraham Accords, describing the development as a positive step toward regional stability.
Modi expressed gratitude for Israel’s recognition of Indian soldiers at the Haifa Memorial, calling it a symbol of the deep historical bonds between the two nations. He highlighted the growing India-Israel partnership across trade, technology, and security, noting that bilateral cooperation has expanded significantly in recent years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Modi warmly, describing him as “more than a friend, a brother.” Addressing the parliament in Hebrew and English, Netanyahu said he was deeply moved by Modi’s visit and praised his leadership on the global stage. He recalled their previous meeting on Israel’s Mediterranean coast and said the two countries had since achieved remarkable progress together.
Netanyahu noted that trade between India and Israel has doubled, cooperation has tripled, and mutual understanding has grown substantially. He emphasized that both nations are stronger than ever and called for building what he described as an “iron alliance” in the face of extremist threats.
During the visit, the Knesset also conferred upon Modi the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest honor awarded by the Israeli parliament. The recognition underscored the strengthening strategic partnership and the growing diplomatic alignment between New Delhi and Jerusalem as both countries deepen engagement across multiple sectors.
