PM Modi calls for zero tolerance on terror in Knesset address, receives Israel’s highest parliamentary honour

In a speech marked by repeated standing ovations, civilisational references and visible political theatre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed Israel’s Parliament, declaring that “no cause can justify the murder of civilians” and reaffirming India’s unwavering stand against terrorism.

Greeting the House with a resonant “Shalom! Namaste!”, Modi said it was an honour to stand before the Knesset as “the Prime Minister of India and as a representative of one ancient civilisation addressing another.”

He conveyed the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and described India-Israel ties as rooted in history, strengthened by shared democratic values and elevated into a strategic partnership of growing global consequence.

There were many rounds of applause as he spoke, particularly when he expressed condolences for the victims of the October 7 Hamas attack and reiterated India’s “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism. Drawing parallels with India’s own experience, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks that claimed Israeli lives, Modi said India stands with Israel “firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond.”

“Terrorism aims to destabilise societies, block development and erode trust,” he said, stressing that countering it requires sustained and coordinated global action. The chamber responded with prolonged desk-thumping.

Balancing solidarity with statesmanship, the Prime Minister also underscored the need for durable peace in the region. Referring to the Abraham Accords and subsequent developments, he said hope must be sustained despite changing realities. India, he added, supports efforts that promise a just and lasting peace, including by addressing the Palestine issue.

The address moved fluidly between geopolitics and civilisational memory.

Modi recalled that Jewish communities had lived in India for over two millennia “without fear of persecution or discrimination,” contributing richly to the country’s social and cultural life. He cited the Bene Israel of Maharashtra, the Cochini Jews of Kerala, the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata and Mumbai, and the Bnei Menashe of the North East as examples of enduring people-to-people ties.

He also paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fell in the region during the First World War, particularly the cavalry charge at Haifa in 1918, describing it as a shared chapter of sacrifice.

In a reference to the Holocaust, Modi remembered the Maharaja of Nawanagar in Gujarat, who offered refuge to Polish children, including Jewish children, during World War II — an act still commemorated in Israel.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister described India as the fastest-growing major economy and Israel as a global innovation powerhouse. He called for accelerated cooperation in trade, defence, agriculture, water management, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies. Negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement were progressing, he said, while initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the I2U2 framework were opening new avenues of collaboration.

Highlighting agricultural cooperation, he noted that 43 Centres of Excellence established across India with Israeli collaboration had trained more than half a million farmers, and proposed expanding the network to 100.

As he invoked philosophical parallels — Tikkun Olam in Jewish thought and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in Indian tradition — the House again broke into applause.

The high point of the session came when the Parliament conferred upon Modi the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal,” the highest honour of the House. The award, presented in recognition of his “exceptional contribution — through his personal leadership — to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel,” makes him the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the distinction.

Interestingly, Modi is among the rare world leaders to have received top honours from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, he was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian honour for foreign leaders.

He concluded with “Am Yisrael Chai” and “Jai Hind,” drawing yet another ovation.

The session, however, began amid visible political controversy.

Responding to Speaker Amir Ohana’s decision not to invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit to the special sitting, opposition Members of Knesset walked out of the plenum at the outset. As opposition MKs vacated their seats, former coalition lawmakers moved in to fill the empty spots, ensuring a full chamber for the visiting dignitary.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid delivered brief remarks before the Prime Minister’s address. When Modi began speaking, Lapid sought to make clear that the internal dispute was unrelated to the guest of honour. “I just want you to know whatever happened here has nothing to do with you,” he told Modi from the podium.

Shortly after the address commenced, opposition members re-entered the plenum, and the focus returned to the visiting leader’s speech — one that underscored both the depth of India-Israel ties and the complexities of Israeli domestic politics unfolding around it.