AJ
Following an embrace and quick chat at the airport, Indian Prime Minister Modi attended the Knesset with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he was scheduled to talk after an introduction from Bibi, and lawmakers clapping and chanting “Modi” upon his arrival.
Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana first introduced Modi, saying: “It is our profound honour to welcome the leader of the world’s largest democracy – a defining statesman of our time – The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi, namaste.
Israeli PM Netanyahu then addressed Indian PM Modi: “Narendra, my dear friend, I am 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.
“I said, ‘Narentra, my dear friend,’ these are not just words – I would almost venture to say, ‘more than a friend – a brother,’ in many ways, brothers.”
Bibi continued: “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?” – which we wanted to purify – and we did, with Israeli technology.
“Almost 80 years ago we both emerged from British rule and achieved our independence at nearly the same time – we share so many common interests, we are two democracies – you are a gigantic democracy, and Israel is one as well – think about what we had to go through, and how we maintained our democracy.”
According to Netanyahu: “Israel is stronger than ever and India is stronger than ever – India is a space power, one of the greatest space powers, so the sky is not the limit.”
Speaking about the Hamas attack, Bibi said: “Right after the terrible massacre on October 7th, immediately after the murderous attack, you stood so clearly, so morally, so firmly by Israel – you didn’t flinch, you didn’t waver, you didn’t give excuses – you stood next to Israel, you stood by Israel, you stood for Israel, you stood for the truth – thank you, my friend.”
Turning to the Middle East, Netanyahu stated: “Israel continues to stand at the forefront of civilisation against radical Islam – the mother base of radical Islam is in the Middle East – but the lava that erupts from this zealotry is spreading to every continent and country.
“In a world where antisemitism is rising, India stands out as a civilisation where Jews were never persecuted by the state – only welcomed – we don’t forget that, thank you India.”
Bibi continued: “We are facing radical Islam, which endangers the entire world and the free nations, [but] we will together build an iron, steadfast alliance – an alliance of countries that believe in moderation, progress, and human dignity.
“An alliance grounded in mutual respect between nations that sanctify life – together, we are willing to fight against those who worship death and seek to drag us back to the Dark Ages.”
With a little history lesson, PM Netanyahu said: “In the First World War, when we were still under the Ottoman occupation, those who helped us liberate this country included the British Army, in wich there were Jewish fighters, but also brave Iranian soldiers and commanders, who fought like lions in the battle for the liberation of Haifa – when the forces were pushed back, who stormed forward and gave their lives? Indian commanders. We will never forget that they gave their lives for us.”
Netanyahu then spoke about the building partnership with India: “We are developing together the IMEC initiative – it is a land and sea corridor that will connect India through the Arab Peninsula to the Haifa port, and from here to the Mediterranean and Europe.
“And IMEC, this sea and land corridor, will only thrive and exist if it goes through stable and safe countries, and there are no stronger and safer countries on this axis than Israel and India, and therefore, I would welcome to your commitment that Israel will be a connecting link between Asia and Europe through the port of Haifa.”
Bibi concluded: “I am sure the day will come when a Bollywood movie is made about the brotherhood between our nations – I promise you – it will be a huge hit.”
