Modi addresses Knesset amid Israeli opposition boycott

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Israel on February 25, 2026, to deliver a landmark address to the Knesset, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before the Israeli parliament. While the chamber echoed with chants of "Modi! Modi!", the event was complicated by a domestic constitutional standoff. Israeli opposition leaders staged a walkout during the introductory remarks of Speaker Amir Ohana and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, returning only to hear the Indian leader’s address.

What we know now

The special session in Jerusalem was marked by high-level diplomatic optics juxtaposed with intense internal friction.

• Date of Address: Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

• The Boycott: Led by Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) and other opposition factions, the walkout was a protest against the exclusion of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the official guest list.

• The Re-entry: Opposition members returned to the plenum for PM Modi’s speech to "respect the alliance" between the two nations.

• Diplomatic Handshake: Following his speech, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid shook hands with PM Modi, clarifying that the protest had "nothing to do with him."

Key facts: The 2026 Israel Visit

The two-day state visit serves as a follow-up to the 2017 strategic elevation of ties.

• Trade Growth: Bilateral merchandise trade reached $3.62 billion in the 2024-2025 period.

• Defense Cooperation: Talks centered on the joint development of military technology, including potential Indian integration of elements from Israel’s Iron Dome into the "Sudarshan Chakra" air defense shield.

• Digital Health: Discussions included the use of the U-WIN portal for tracking vaccination drives, reflecting shared expertise in digital infrastructure.

The real system issue underneath

The opposition boycott was not directed at India but at the Netanyahu government's ongoing judicial overhaul efforts. Speaker Amir Ohana’s decision to snub Chief Justice Isaac Amit followed a series of high-profile exclusions of the judiciary from legislative events. For the Israeli opposition, the presence of a foreign leader from a major democracy like India was used as leverage to highlight what they termed a "boycott of the Supreme Court" by the coalition.

Stakeholders and implications

• Prime Minister Netanyahu: Secured a high-profile diplomatic victory and reaffirmed "brotherhood" with a key global power.

• Opposition (Yair Lapid): Successfully staged a domestic protest without damaging international relations, receiving a direct acknowledgment from the Speaker that the dispute was internal.

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs: Navigated a "diplomatically awkward" session while maintaining focus on the strategic core of the visit: defense, trade, and the IMEC corridor.

What happens next

Negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are expected to accelerate following this visit. Furthermore, both nations are expected to deepen cooperation within the I2U2 and IMEC frameworks, positioning India as a primary strategic partner for Israel outside the Western bloc.

FAQ

1. Why did the Israeli opposition walk out? They protested the exclusion of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the protocol.

2. Was the boycott directed at PM Modi? No; opposition leaders explicitly stated they returned to honor the Indian Prime Minister.

3. What were the highlights of Modi's speech? He condemned the October 7 attacks, highlighted civilisational ties, and discussed defense cooperation.

4. How much is India-Israel trade? Approximately $3.62 billion in the 2024-2025 period.

5. What is "Sudarshan Chakra"? India's indigenous air defense shield, which may incorporate Israeli technology.

6. Who is Yair Lapid? The leader of the Israeli opposition and head of the Yesh Atid party