‘More Than a Friend, a Brother’: Israeli PM Netanyahu Welcomes ‘Dear Friend’ Narendra Modi at Knesset

BuzzBytes
TEL AVIV, Feb 25: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his address to the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, describing him as “a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, a great leader on the world stage.”
PM Netanyahu described PM Modi as “dear friend” and said he was deeply moved by the visit.
PM Netanyahu said, “I have to tell you, Narendra, my dear friend, I am deeply, deeply moved by your visit here today. I’ve never been more moved than by your visit here with us, a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, a great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation.”
He further added, “I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother. Now, when you were last here, 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.”
Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, said it was his privilege to welcome PM Modi. He stated, “Today, it is my great privilege as Speaker of the Knesset to welcome him as the first Prime Minister of India to address the Knesset and to make history once again. Thank you, Prime Minister Modi.”
On his arrival at the Parliament, PM Modi was welcomed with “Modi, Modi” chants and received a standing ovation.
PM Modi and his wife attended the official reception ceremony at the Knesset. PM Modi earlier arrived in Tel Aviv on a two-day visit to Israel