Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the Knesset on Wednesday, amidst a heated political climate in Israel. Lapid, who is the leader of the Yesh Atid party, made a statement in which he clarified that the walkout by some members of the Knesset during Modi’s speech had nothing to do with the Indian leader’s visit.
In his speech, Lapid expressed his admiration for Modi and the strong relationship between India and Israel. He stated, “We are honored to have Prime Minister Modi here with us today. India and Israel share a deep bond, rooted in our common values of democracy, innovation, and a strong desire for progress. We welcome you with open arms and look forward to strengthening our ties even further.”
The walkout during Modi’s speech was led by members of the Joint List, a coalition of Arab parties in the Knesset. They were protesting against the controversial Nation-State Law, which defines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people and has been criticized for discriminating against the country’s Arab minority. However, Lapid clarified that their protest was not directed towards Modi or his visit.
He further added, “We respect the right of every member of the Knesset to express their opinions and beliefs. However, I want to make it clear that the walkout during Prime Minister Modi’s speech had nothing to do with him or his visit. We are here to welcome him and to celebrate the strong friendship between our two nations.”
Lapid also praised Modi for his leadership and the progress made by India under his leadership. He said, “Prime Minister Modi has been a true leader for his country, bringing about significant economic and social reforms. India’s growth and development under his leadership have been truly remarkable. We can learn a lot from each other and I am confident that our partnership will continue to flourish.”
The Indian Prime Minister, who is on a three-day visit to Israel, was greeted with a warm welcome by the Israeli government and people. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel, marking a historic moment in the relationship between the two countries.
During his visit, Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in areas such as agriculture, water management, and space technology. They also discussed ways to strengthen defense and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two nations.
Lapid also highlighted the importance of the Indian Prime Minister’s visit in strengthening the ties between India and Israel. He said, “This visit is a testament to the strong friendship between our two nations and the potential for even greater cooperation in the future. We are grateful for the support and partnership of India, and we look forward to working together towards a brighter future for both our countries.”
In conclusion, Yair Lapid’s welcoming statement for Prime Minister Modi in the Knesset reflects the positive and warm sentiment towards India and its leader in Israel. Despite the political tensions, the visit of the Indian Prime Minister has been a significant step in strengthening the bond between the two nations. As Lapid said, “We may have our differences, but we share a common goal of progress and prosperity. Let us continue to work together towards achieving it.”
