Speaker Ohana lauds Modi as great friend of Israel

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana praises Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a staunch ally of Israel, noting that he was the first Indian leader to visit Israel when he came in 2017 and declaring he is making history again by being the first Indian leader to address the Knesset.

“It is a great honor for us to welcome the leader of the world’s largest democracy: the prime minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi. Namaste! For Prime Minister Modi, leadership is not just managing a country, but inspiring a nation,” says Ohana, praising Modi for having “transformed India.”

“For over two thousand years, India has given Jews a home, and in our darkest hours, a refuge. India’s ancient Jewish communities helped build this country and continue to enrich it with Indian culture, cuisine and warmth. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established early, but it was the two prime ministers, Modi and Netanyahu, who forged a true strategic partnership,” he says.

“The friendship between our two nations has stood the test of our shared fight against terrorism. After the October 7 massacre, Prime Minister Modi was one of the first leaders to condemn the atrocities of Hamas and stood in brotherhood with the citizens of Israel. Just as we stood by India in its difficult hours after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008 and in Pahalgam last year. Both our nations are forced to fight terrorism and both, God willing, will continue to prevail.”