Modi pledges closer ties with Israel in historic Knesset speech

Modi highlighted Israel’s strengths as an innovation hub and expressed optimism for economic collaboration.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

In a speech reflecting shared history and ambitions for closer ties and condolences, Indian Prime Minister Narendra kicked off a two-day visit to Israel by becoming the first Indian premier to address the Knesset.

Modi began by expressing sympathy for the victims of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. “We feel your pain and share your grief,” he said.

“Nothing can justify terrorism. We remember the attacks in Mumbai and the lives lost in that attack, including Israeli citizens. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond.”

He stressed the need for coordinated global action to fight terror.

The Indian Prime Minister framed his address as a message from one ancient civilization to another.

“It is a privilege and honor for me to stand before this distinguished house,” Modi said. “I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and a message of friendship, respect, and partnership.”

He noted that he was born on the same day India formally recognized the country in 1950 and recalled his first official visit as prime minister in 2017, also the first to Israel by an Indian leader.

He highlighted Israel’s strengths as an innovation hub and expressed optimism for economic collaboration.

“Our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement. This agreement will unlock the enormous untapped potential in our trade,” Modi said.

Speaking in the plenum ahead of Modi’s address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that India and Israel would forge an “iron alliance” of nations “in the face of extremist Islam.”

“Israel is stronger than ever, and India is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu insisted.

Members of the opposition walked out of the plenum during Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana’s remarks. They re-entered when opposition leader Yair Lapid spoke and stayed for Modi’s address.

The walkout was prompted by Ohana’s refusal to invite Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amir. Lapid notified Modi ahead of time.

“What happened here today has nothing to do with us. “The entire country appreciates your leadership, your friendship, and the fact that you were by our side in difficult times,” Lapid told Modi.

“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. So thank you very much for being here. And we are all, both sides of the aisle, looking forward to hearing your speech.”

Modi is due to attend an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum alongside Netanyahu. The leaders will also focus on high-tech partnerships in artificial intelligence and quantum computing.