New Delhi: Nine years after becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to address the Knesset on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). This visit comes at a markedly different moment: Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza that is central to its political life, deep political divisions within Israel that surfaced as opposition leaders walked out of the special parliamentary session, United States President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of strikes against Iran and criticism from opposition parties in India over the timing of the two-day trip.These tensions were not always obvious inside the Knesset, which welcomed Modi by chanting his name and with loud applause. However, just before the series of addresses began – first by the Speaker Amir Ohana, then by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, finally by the visiting Prime Minister of India – there was visible shuffling as dozens of people moved out of the hall. Others were then seen occupying the empty seats in the hall, immediately after Speaker Ohana introduced Modi.The addressesWhen they spoke, Netanyahu and Ohana sought to frame the India-Israel relationship as strategic, civilisational and enduring – what Netanyahu called brotherhood, and what Modi later said must remain a “source of strength”.In his address, Netanyahu used emphatic language to welcome Modi, referring to India as not just a partner but “a friend of Israel” and to Modi as “a great friend … more than a friend … a brother – we are brothers”.He said Modi had “stood by Israel”, “stood for Israel” and stood “for the Jewish people”, remarks that carry meaning in the context of Israel’s Gaza war.He noted that India and Israel “achieved our independence at almost the same time” – India in 1947 and Israel in 1948.He posited both as post-imperial democracies despite the obvious historical differences – India emerged after nearly two centuries of direct British colonial rule, whereas Israel was proclaimed at the end of the British Mandate in Palestine, which immediately triggered regional conflict.Screenshot of the ovation PM Modi got in the Knesset during his address, the first by an Indian prime minister. Source: PMO live telecast of the address.Oppposition boycott, Speaker’s interventionNetanyahu’s unusually emotive words came alongside internal Israeli contestation – Opposition lawmakers had threatened to boycott the session over a dispute concerning parliamentary norms: The Supreme Court Justice was not invited despite requests from opposition leader Yair Lapid and members of his party, Yesh Atid.As a result of the Knesset members carrying out their threat, Modi’s address was overshadowed by the disruptions. For instance, before he could begin his address, Speaker Amir Ohama addressed Modi directly: “Mr Prime Minister, I only want to take a minute to say – whatever happened here today is nothing to do with you.”Also read: The Latest Trump Plan for Gaza is an Effort to Ensure the Permanent Subordination of PalestiniansThe remark was a clear reference to the boycott and dispute that had preceded the event for several days. Ohana then turned toward the chamber, shushing members and urging restraint: “Let’s try and not make things worse.” He then said Israel was indebted to Modi and to the alliance between the two countries and insisted that members from “both sides of the aisle” were looking forward to hearing him.Loud applause followed, along with further calls for quiet.Indeed, India did not cause the dispute Ohana referred to, but the domestic constitutional controversy did become attached to Modi’s speech, making it diplomatically awkward even though the optics inside the chamber were controlled –almost all seats were occupied.‘India stands with Israel’Modi began by bringing “the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and the message of friendship, respect and partnership”. He recalled his 2017 visit and described his return as “returning to a land to which I always felt drawn”.He noted that he was born on September 17, 1950 – the same day India formally recognised Israel.The strongest applause came when he addressed October 7, 2023. “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction, in this moment and beyond.”“No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi said, making terrorism the focus of his speech, drawing a parallel with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and reiterating a “consistent and uncompromising policy” with “no double standards”.Referring to the Abraham Accords – normalisation of ties between Israel and several Arab states though without addressing Palestinian occupation or statehood – as a moment of courage and hope, he said circumstances had since changed. He expressed support for the UN Security Council-endorsed Gaza peace initiative from November 2025, and spoke of a “just and durable peace … including by addressing the Palestine issue”. That was the sole direct reference to Palestine in the speech.While India did not abandon the language of a two-state solution, Modi’s rejection of “double standards” on terrorism would align with the US’s long-standing position condemning Hamas, which carried out the October 7 attack. The question scholars would ponder over in coming days is whether India has supported Israel’s concerns while rhetorically backing the two-state framework.Civilisational link, shared historyModi, like Netanyahu in his address, framed the speech as a meeting of “one ancient civilisation with another”. He traced Jewish-Indian ties back more than two millennia, referencing Jewish communities in India, naming the Bene Israel, Cochini and Baghdadi Jews.He compared Hanukkah and Diwali as festivals of light and concluded with the Hebrew affirmation “Am Yisrael Chai” – the people of Israel live.IMEC, I2U2 and defence tiesBeyond symbolism, the speech underscored strategic cooperation. Modi referred to the India-Europe-Middle East (IMEC) connectivity corridor and the I2U2 framework involving India, Israel, the UAE and the US. The speech also positioned Israel as central to India’s westward economic and geopolitical outreach.IMEC is seen in Washington and New Delhi as a counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.Also read: Gaza, Kashmir and the UN: Why Trump’s Board of Peace Poses a Dilemma for IndiaModi highlighted the defence cooperation agreement signed last November and stressed that “a strong defence relationship between trusting partners” is of vital importance in “today’s uncertain world”.India’s trade with Israel has grown, he said, but does not yet reflect the full potential of the partnership. He stressed that negotiations towards a free trade agreement were underway and stressed that technology would play a significant role in the India-Israel relationship in the future.He also invited young Israelis to travel to India, spoke of Ayurveda and holistic wellness and acknowledged Indian caregivers and skilled workers in Israel who “showed courage” during times of crisis, including October 7.Israel-India trade stood at USD 3.9bn in 2024, but the bulk of that was in the domain of defence and security with New Delhi being Israel’s largest weapons buyer, Al Jazeera reported Wednesday.Opinion in IndiaTo opposition parties and many in the Indian public, Modi’s Knesset speech would sound very different than it might in Jerusalem or Washington. In the context of the words used on both sides – brotherhood, natural affinity, civilisational links, shared history, India’s support for Israel/the Jewish cause and so on – the reference to Palestine might be viewed as perfunctory.This is evident in the context of statements put out by several opposition parties prior to the visit. For example, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) “strongly” opposed the visit on Wednesday, saying the timing was wrong for it came as Israel was “waging a genocidal war in Gaza”:The CPI(M) strongly opposes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. pic.twitter.com/KOBPyP7EP9— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) February 25, 2026Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X on Wednesday morning, highlighted the change in India’s stance over decades – “On Nov 18 1988, India formally recognised the state of Palestine,” he wrote, striking a contrast to Modi’s speech 12 hours later, emphasising the recognition of Israel:On May 20 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru was in Gaza and met with the Indian contingent of the UN Emergency Force there.On Nov 29 1981, India issued a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine.On Nov 18 1988, India formally recognised the state of Palestine.That… pic.twitter.com/J0RDHoEVEH— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 25, 2026Congress leader Priyanka Vadra Gandhi also took to X to say she hoped the prime minister would refer to the killing of Gazan children by Israeli armed forces.I hope that the Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them. India has stood for what is right throughout our history as…— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 25, 2026Local responses to the speech and visitWafa news agency reported several instances of attacks in Nablus and northeast of Jerusalem on Wednesday by Israeli forces, including arson, detention of a former prisoner and attacks on agricultural equipment and fields.Al Jazeera live-reported the speeches in Knesset and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Rafah and other parts of Gaza, including a report on over 4,500 children in need of urgent medical evacuation. 972mag reported on Palestinians across the Gaza strip struggling to observe Ramzan amid severe shortages and Israel’s warning of escalation during the holy month.Haaretz reported on dozens of deadly raids on Palestinian West Bank village on Wednesday, amid a ceasefire called last October that has failed to halt Israeli attacks on the destroyed Gaza strip. The Israeli daily characterised Modi’s remarks as an “endorsement of Trump’s Gaza plan” during his visit to Israel.On February 24, the foreign ministers of 19 nations – Turkey, Qatar, France, Brazil included – endorsed a joint statement condemning Israel’s continued efforts to expand into Palestinian territories. This followed an announcement by Israel it would launch land registrations in occupied areas of the West Bank, a policy that has been backed by the Israeli opposition as well, making the situation for Palestinians even more precarious.Jordan news reported citing sources on February 25 the death toll crossed 72,000 in the Gaza Strip, and more than 1,71,000 have been injured in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023. A more detailed accounting of the toll of the conflict is recorded by Haaretz, which cites and shares the Gaza Health Ministry’s list of the dead.