"A great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.
He further stated: "Now, I said, Narendra, my dear friend, these are not just words. I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother".
PM Modi was at the stage smiling.
Netanyahu thanked India for their years-long friendship, saying it is the only civilisation where Jews were welcomed and not persecuted.
In a light-hearted moment, Netanyahu also spoke about PM Modi's hug, which he said is known as the 'Modi hug' across the globe.
The 76-year-old recalled the 2017 visit by PM Modi, and said that since then, the two countries have "performed miracles".
"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," Netanyahu said.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi told Israeli Parliamentarians --- "No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism."
In a veiled message about the wrongdoings of Pakistan; Modi said --
"India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens.
Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards."
Modi also said:
"I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7”.
Modi's remarks are significant given that a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding in Gaza after two years of intense fighting.
"We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond."
This statement may upset India's now famous Sickular commentators and of course Muslim-appeasing parties such as the Congress and the Trinamool Congress.
The Prime Minister pointed out that -- "In India, there is a great admiration for Israel’s resolve, courage, and achievements.
Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years.
The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times.
Modi told the Israeli lawmakers -- "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us.
Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us.
"The Bene Israel of Maharashtra, the Cochini Jews of Keralam, the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata and Mumbai, and the Bnei Menashe of the North East have enriched India," he said. The reference here is about Mizoram where a large number of people follow Jewish culture and go to Synagogues.
Modi said: "In my home state Gujarat, there is a school set-up by a Bene Israeli family - Mister and Missus Best. It is an excellent school, and of course, it is called the Best School".
Naming a few giants, he said --
"Edwyn Myers gave shape to the Films Division of India and was a towering figure in the history of Indian cinema. Doctor Reuben David was the founder of the Kankaria Zoo in Ahmedabad.
The actor David Abraham Cheulkar, or Uncle David, became a household name across the country.
Walter Kaufmann composed the signature tune for All India Radio. David Sassoon built many institutions that still serve Indian society.
And, of course, the heroic contribution of Lt. General J.F.R. Jacob during the 1971 war with Pakistan is widely known."
"I had the honour of working closely with him after his retirement. We discussed India-Israel relations, among many other things, over many cups of tea. There have been countless others whose contributions are woven into India’s rich fabric of life," the Prime Minister added.
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| Lt. General J.F.R. Jacob : 1971 War Hero |
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