Israel honours PM Modi with top Knesset medal; rare leader decorated by both Israel and Palestine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Speaker of the Knesset Medal (L). In 2018, PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honour awarded by the State of Palestine to foreign leaders (R).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest honour awarded by Israel’s Parliament, in recognition of his role in deepening ties between India and Israel.

The honour was bestowed by the Knesset, acknowledging Prime Minister Modi’s exceptional contribution to strengthening bilateral relations through his personal leadership and sustained engagement with Israel’s leadership.

According to the citation, the medal recognises Modi’s role in elevating India–Israel ties into a strategic partnership spanning defence, security, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.

#WATCH | Jerusalem, Israel: Israel Parliament confers "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi This is the highest honour of the Knesset. The medal is being conferred in recognition of PM’s exceptional contribution – through his personal leadership – to… pic.twitter.com/RAR1AO6n1j

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026

PM Modi is among the rare world leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine, underscoring India’s balanced and independent diplomacy in West Asia.

In 2018, PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honour awarded by the State of Palestine to foreign leaders. The award recognised his contribution to strengthening India–Palestine relations and India’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

Delivering a historic speech in the Knesset earlier today, PM Modi addressed the Palestine issue and said the Trump administration-led Gaza Peace Initiative is a just and durable solution for the people of the region.

“Gaza Peace Initiative holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. The road to peace is not always easy but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” Modi said during his speech.

He said the Gaza Peace Initiative has received endorsement from the UN Security Council and provides a viable pathway forward, with India reiterating its firm support for the proposal. Referring to the turmoil in West Asia, he spoke about the importance of regional peace and assured that India stands with Israel during this challenging period.

“Some years ago, when you concluded the Abraham Accords, we applauded your courage and vision. It was a moment of new hope for our long-troubled region. Since then, however, the situation has changed significantly and path is more challenging.”

PM Modi's address to the Knesset, Israel's house of representatives, came hours after he landed in the country to a rousing welcome with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu along with wife Sara receiving him at the Ben Gurion airport.