Modi Israel visit highlights: In Knesset address, PM says India stands with Israel 'firmly with full conviction'

PM Modi Israel visit highlights: The updates to this live blog have ended. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a standing ovation at the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, hours after landing in Tel Aviv on Wednesday for his two-day state visit to Israel. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament. PM Modi's visit marks the prime minister's second trip to Israel in his 10-year tenure as the Indian leader. His last visit to Israel was in 2017.

Upon landing, PM Modi was received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu. PM Modi thanked the Israeli PM for the welcome, saying he was “extremely honoured” by the reception. Netanyahu too called Modi's visit to Israel “historic”, with a post on X saying “Aapka swagat hai (We welcome you).”

PM Modi addresses Israeli Parliament, conferred ‘Speaker of Knesset Medal’ | Key highlights

• PM Modi was conferred the ‘Speaker of Knesset Medal’ after his address in the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday. This is the highest honour given by the Knesset. This brings the Prime Minister among the rare leaders who has received top honours from both Israel and Palestine. PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine in 2018, which is the highest Palestinian honour for foreign leaders.

• In his address, PM Modi said he was “born on the same day” that Israel was formally recognised by India. He further called it a “privilege and honour” to address the Knesset. He said he was not only speaking as the Indian PM, but “also as a representative of one ancient civilisation addressing another.”

• The Prime Minister condoled the deaths in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, condemning it as “barbaric.” “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond,” PM Modi said.

• PM Modi said that India had “endured the pain of terrorism for a long time”, and spoke about the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. “Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards,” he said.

• PM Modi further supported the Gaza peace initiative, saying it held a promise for “durable” peace in the region. “…India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability,” the Prime Minister said.

• Speaking on India and Israel ties, the Prime Minister highlighted the defence partnership between trusted partners, and said it was important in today's uncertain world. PM Modi also drew parallels between the cultures of the two countries.

Modi, Netanyahu hold brief meeting

Both leaders held a brief meeting, with PM Modi saying they discussed a wide range of subjects with the aim of boosting bilateral ties. “Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Expressed gratitude to him for the warm welcome earlier in the day. It is a delight to be back in Israel after 9 years,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“Sectors such as technology, water management, agriculture, talent partnership and more offer immense scope for close collaboration. We also discussed key developments in the region,” the Prime Minister added.

Modi in Israel - What's on agenda?

Modi and Netanyahu are set to review the significant progress made in India - Israel Strategic Partnership, and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people to people exchanges.

“The leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement issued by the MEA adds further.

This visit to Tel Aviv aims to “reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.”

Opposition slams Modi for Israel visit

The Indian National Congress has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel. Taking to X, leaders from the opposition party accused the Modi government of abandoning Palestinians.

"Israel’s dispossession and displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has intensified and drawn worldwide condemnation,' wrote Jairam Ramesh, the party's general secretary and spokesperson.

"Yet the Prime Minister is going to Israel tomorrow (where there is a Modani connection as well) to embrace his good friend Mr. Netanyahu - who faces very serious corruption charges. The Opposition in Israel is threatening to boycott Mr. Modi’s address to the Israeli Parliament to protest how Mr. Netanyahu is destroying the independence of the judiciary in Israel," he said, adding that the Modi government has made cynical and hypocritical statements in support of the Palestinians despite India being among the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra also called on PM Modi to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza during his address at the Israeli parliament. Reacting sharply to the remarks, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia hit back with a , "The Female Ghajini of Indian politics is back!" jibe.

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Feb 26, 2026, 24:17:04 IST

PM Modi Israel visit highlights: Day 1 saw Modi's bonhomie with Netanyahu, Knesset address and highest honour

• On Day 1 of his two-day state visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his wife, Sara.
• PM Modi received a grand welcome reception from the Israeli PM and said he felt "extremely honoured".
• PM Modi received a standing ovation in Israel's Parliament, the Knesset. He was also welcomed in the Knesset with chants of 'Modi, Modi'.
• PM Modi said he was "born on the same day" that Israel was formally recognised by India. He further called it a "privilege and honour" to address the Knesset.
• PM Modi condoled the deaths in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, condemning it as "barbaric".
• PM Modi also backed the Gaza peace initiative, saying it held a promise for "durable" peace in the region.
• PM Modi was conferred the 'Speaker of Knesset Medal' after his address in the Israeli Parliament, the highest honour given by the Knesset.