Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a coordinated standing ovation as he entered the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, during his high-profile two-day visit to the country.
Lawmakers rose to their feet, chanting ‘Modi! Modi!’ as the chamber applauded, reflecting the growing warmth in India-Israel ties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed him with an embrace, while Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called him ‘a defining statesman of our time’.
After his speech, MPs lined up to greet him and take photographs, with videos of the moment going viral on social media.
#WATCH | Jerusalem, Israel | Members of Parliament line up to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his speech at the Knesset, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Gr8zkUAzg2
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026
PM Modi addressed a packed chamber, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak at the Knesset.
In his speech, PM Modi highlighted the shared democratic values and strong historical ties between India and Israel, reaffirming cooperation in peace, innovation, and security.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Ambassador Jitender Pal Singh attended the address.
PM Netanyahu praised PM Modi as ‘more than a friend’ and ‘a brother’, thanking India for its solidarity after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and saw around 250 abducted.
He recalled their embrace at the airport as a ‘Modi hug’ and said he wished to return a hug from every Knesset member to symbolise the warmth between the two countries.
During his address, PM Modi conveyed condolences for the victims of the October 7 attack, stating, “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction.”
He did not mention casualties in Gaza.
His second visit since 2017 included talks with Netanyahu to deepen trade and defence ties, reflecting India’s strategic engagement with Israel despite domestic criticism.
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