Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before addressing lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem. (PTI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament, during his two-day visit to the West Asian nation, where he landed hours before his speech, which is the first by an Indian PM.Beginning his speech with “Shalom” and “Namaste,” PM Modi extended condolences over the “barbaric terrorist attack Hamas carried out on October 7, 2023.PM Modi said “no cause an justify murder of civilians”. “We feel your pain..India stands with Israel..in this moment & beyond; no cause can justify murder of civilians,” said PM Modi. The moment marked renewed resolve between the two nations against the menace of terrorism, as PM Modi said India “has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time”.
Here’s a top quote from the PM Modi’s speech:
- “I bring with me greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and a message of friendship, respect and partnership.”
- “Nine years ago, I had the good fortune to be the first PM of India to visit Israel, and I’m very happy to be here again, returning to a land to which I always felt drawn. After all, I was on the same day that India formally recognised Israel, September 17, 1950.”
- “Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action, because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere.”
- “Like Israel, India has consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards
- “The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region.”
- “India supports Gaza peace initiative; it holds promise for a just and durable peace for the region.”
- “In today’s uncertain world, a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance.”
- “In Israel, principle of Tikkun Olam speaks of healing the world; In India, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam affirms that world is one family.”
- “For the last few years, India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world… At the same time, Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership. This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership.”
In his address at the Knesset, PM Modi also labelled the Holocaust as one of humanity’s darkest chapters.”Yet, even in those turbulent years, some acts of humanity stood out… The Maharaja of Nawanagar in Gujarat, also known as the Jam Saheb, offered refuge to Polish children, including Jewish children, who had nowhere else to turn,” he stated.In his address at the special plenary session of the Israeli Parliament, PM Modi also mentioned that Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. “They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society,” he said.PM Modi arrived at the Knesset, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu attended an official reception ceremony on Wednesday.With “Modi, Modi” chants, PM Narendra Modi receives a standing ovation at the Knesset upon his arrival.PM Netanyahu described PM Modi as “dear friend” and said he was deeply moved by the visit.”I have to tell you, Narendra, my dear friend, I am deeply, deeply moved by your visit here today. I’ve never been more moved than by your visit here with us, a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, a great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation,” he said.”I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother. Now, when you were last here, we, the two of us, were on the Mediterranean coast, and I said, why don’t we take off our shoes and go into the water?… We didn’t walk on water, but we did perform miracles since then. Because what we have done is we’ve doubled our trade, tripled our cooperation, quadrupled our understanding,” he added.In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu attend official reception ceremony at the Knesset for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Go to Source
