- 1 hour ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset, expressed India's deepest condolences for lives lost in the terrorist attack. He emphasised that 'no cause can justify the murder of civilians' and 'nothing can justify terrorism', highlighting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Category
š
NewsTranscript
00:36His Excellency, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, His Excellency, Mr. Aamir Ohana, speaker of the message.
00:56His Excellency, Mr. Aamir Lapid, leader of opposition, honorable members of the cadets, my dear sisters
01:12and brothers. Shalom. Namaste.
01:26Honorable members, it is a privilege
01:33and an honor for me to stand before this distinguished house.
01:43I do so as the Prime Minister of India and also as a representative of one ancient civilization
01:58addressing another. I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians
02:13and a message of friendship, respect and partnership.
02:25I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your kind invitation and for your wonderful gesture of lighting
02:41up the Knesset in Indian colors. Your visit to India three years ago was the first by a speaker
02:55of the Knesset. And thanks to you, I'm the first Prime Minister of India to address this August
03:05gathering. Nine years ago, I had the good fortune to be the first Prime Minister of India to visit Israel.
03:23And I'm very happy to be the first Prime Minister of India. And I'm very happy to be here again,
03:29returning to a land to which I've always felt drawn. After all,
03:38I was born on the same day that India formally recognized Israel, September 17, 1950.
04:03Honourable Members, I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every
04:18every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October
04:347.
04:37We feel your pain. We share your grief.
04:47India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.
05:27No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism.
05:40India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 2611 Mumbai attacks and the
05:58innocent lives lost including Israeli citizens.
06:04Americans like you. We have consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards.
06:27terrorism aims to destabilize societies, to block development and to erode trust.
06:41countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere.
07:00That is why India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability.
07:16Some years ago, when you concluded the Abraham Accords, we applauded your courage and vision.
07:33It was a moment of new hope for a long troubled region.
07:43Since then, the situation has changed significantly.
07:51The path is even more challenging. Yet, it is important to sustain that hope.
08:06The Gaza peace initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway.
08:20India has expressed its firm support for the initiative.
08:27We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region,
08:42including by addressing the Palestine issue.
08:50Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage and humanity.
08:58The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability
09:17in this region.
09:22In India, there is a great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage and achievements.
09:38Long before we related to each other, as modern states, we were linked by ties that go back
09:51more than 2,000 years.
09:56The book of Esther refers to India as Hodu.
10:02The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times.
10:11Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian
10:21ocean.
10:23They came seeking opportunity and dignity.
10:29And in India, they became one of us.
10:36Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination.
10:48They have preserved their faiths and participated fully in society.
10:58That record is a source of pride for us, honourable members.
11:06The Bene Israel of Maharashtra, the Cochini Jews of Kerala, the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata and
11:18Mumbai, and the Bene Manasseh of the Northeast have enriched India.
11:26India.
11:27In my home state, Gujaramat, there is a school set up by a Bene Israeli family, Mr. and Mrs.
11:39Best.
11:40It is an excellent school, and of course, it is called the best school.
11:56Edwin Myers gave shape to the film's division of India and was towering figure in the history
12:08of Indian cinema.
12:10Dr. Ruben David was the founder of the Kangariya Jew in Ahmedabad.
12:19The actor, David Abraham Chowdkar or Uncle David, became a household name across the country.
12:35Walter Kaufman composed the signature tune for All India Radio.
12:44David Sassoon built many institutions that still serve Indian society.
12:53And of course, the heroic contribution of Lieutenant General J.F.R.
13:03Jacob during the 1970 war with Pakistan is widely known.
13:18I had the honor of working closely with him after his retirement.
13:26We discussed India-Israel relations among many other things over many cups of tea.
13:36There have been countless others whose contributions are woven into India's rich fabric of life.
13:51Honourable members, there was movement from India to Israel too, when many Indian Jews migrated to Israel in the mid
14:08-20th century.
14:10Today, a vibrant Indian-origin Jewish community lives here.
14:18They are contributed to the building of modern Israel in laboratories and hospitals, in classrooms and also on the battlefield.
14:35They hold firmly that Israel is their fatherland and India their motherland.
14:57We are proud of them.
15:01Honourable members, India's connection to this land is also written in blood and sacrifice.
15:16During the First World War, more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in this region.
15:28The cavalry charge at Haifa in September 1918 remains a significant chapter in military history.
15:47Major Thakur Dalpat Singh remembered that the hero of Haifa symbolized the shared history.
16:01During my last visit, I was deeply moved to pay my respect at the Haifa Memorial for Indian soldiers.
16:15Honourable members, Honourable members, last month, the world marked the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
16:28The Holocaust stands as one of humanity's darkest chapters.
16:38Yet, even in those turbulent years, some acts of humanity stood out.
16:50The Maharaja of Navanagar in Gujarat, also known as the Jam Sahib,
17:03offered refuse to Polish children, including Jewish children, who had nowhere else to turn.
17:13I am told that a statue of Jam Sahib was unveiled in Mosha on Nevatim recently.
17:29Thank you for this honour and remembrance.
17:35Honourable members, after India's independence, many Indian leaders felt a kinship with the people of Israel.
17:52India's parliamentary debates of the 1950s are witness to their admiration for Israel's effort to develop agriculture in the desert.
18:08The kibbutz movement of Israel inspired our leaders like Acharya Vinova Bhave and Lopanaya Jai Prakash Narayan.
18:22First in my home state, Gujarat, and now across India, I have seen the approach of per drop, more crop,
18:36work wonders in agriculture.
18:40My own first visit to Israel was in 2006 at the chief minister of Gujarat.
18:48Later in 2017, during my visit to Israel as prime minister, our two countries elevated the relationship to a strategic
19:01partnership.
19:02Since then, our engagement has expanded in scale and scope, and we are committed to further consolidate this relationship across
19:24many sectors.
19:30Honourable members, for the last few years, India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world.
19:45Soon, we will be among the top three economies globally.
19:59At the same time, Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership.
20:15This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership.
20:23We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development.
20:36The bilateral investment treaty signed last year will provide confidence and productivity to our businesses.
20:50In the last few years, India has concluded a number of important trade agreements with other nations.
21:02To your west, the European Union and the UK.
21:09To your east, the UAE and Oman.
21:14However, our bilateral goods trade has grown significantly in recent years, but it does not reflect the full scope of
21:29opportunity.
21:30That is why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement.
21:40It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship.
21:48We will also work closely in different forms such as India, Middle East, Europe Economic Corridor and the I2-U2
22:07framework between India, Israel, UAE and the US.
22:13Defense and security is another important pillar of our partnership.
22:21In November last year, we signed an MOU on defense cooperation.
22:28In today's uncentred world, a strong defense partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance.
22:45For our partners, honorable members, honorable members, Israel is often called the startup nation.
22:55In recent years, we have also been working to unlock the innovation and creativity of our youth.
23:06I recall that in 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I inaugurated the I-Create Technology Business Incubator in India.
23:24Since then, it has supported nearly 900 such startups.
23:31Last week, we hosted the world's largest and the most democratized AI Impact Summit with representatives from over 100 countries.
23:49Our aspirational spirit aligns naturally with Israel's innovation ecosystem.
23:58I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
24:14We are also working with Israel on creating cross-border financial linkages using our digital public infrastructure.
24:30Honorable members, I mentioned how inspiring we found Israel's agricultural miracle in deserts.
24:45Israeli expertise in precision irrigation and water management has already transformed agricultural practices in India.
25:00Together, we have established 43 centres of excellence across India that have provided training to more than half a million
25:15farmers.
25:17We should now set an ambitious goal to expand to 100 centres to benefit millions of farmers and fishermen.
25:30Honorable members, at the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples.
25:39When I first visited Israel in 2006, there were a handful of yoga centres in Israel.
25:50Today, yoga seems to be practised in almost every neighbourhood.
25:57I am told that interestā¦
26:05I am told that interestā¦
26:08I am told that interest in Ayurved is also growing in Israel.
26:12I invite more and more young Israelis to travel to India.
26:25They will witness the dynamism of our society and experience what holistic wellness can do for the body and the
26:40mind.
26:41I am happy to inform this august house that the Indian parliament has set up a parliamentary frenzy group for
26:53Israel.
26:55I invite you all to visit India and look forward to having more exchanges between members of parliament.
27:15I am aware that Indian caregivers and skilled workers in Israel contribute immensely to families and communities.
27:29They have displayed remarkable courage and dedication in times of crisis, including on October 7.
27:43We are proud of them.
27:53As the Jewish teachings reminds us, whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.
28:08Their service reflects the strength of the human bonds behind our cooperation.
28:17We will continue to facilitate the movement of workers and professionals across sectors that benefit both of our nations.
28:32Honourable members, we are both ancient civilizations.
28:44And it is perhaps no surprise that our civilizational traditions also reveal philosophical parallels.
28:57In Israel, the principle of Tikkun Olam speaks of healing the world.
29:11In India, Vasudhaev Kutum Kam affirms that the world is one family.
29:20Both ideas extend responsibility beyond immediate boundaries.
29:31They ask societies to act with compassion and moral courage.
29:42Judaism emphasizes harakha, guiding everyday conduct through law and practice.
29:54Hindu philosophy speaks of dharma, the moral order that shapes duty and right action.
30:05In both traditions, ethical life is lived through action and faith is expressed through conduct.
30:18There is an enduring similarity in our festivals as well.
30:25You celebrate Hanukkah with the warm glow of candles.
30:32You celebrate Hanukkah with the warm glow of candles.
30:34Around the same time, we celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights with the gentle radiance of lamps.
30:47Soon, India will celebrate the festival of holy filled with happiness and colour.
30:58And around the same time, Israel will also celebrate Purim with enthusiasm and joy.
31:16Honourable members, our shared ideals are the deep foundations that give strength to our modern partnership.
31:28We are democracies shaped by history and focus on the future.
31:39Our partnership is grounded in shared experience and shared aspirations.
31:48Our strong partnership not only serves national interests, but also contributes to global stability and prosperity.
32:04Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world.
32:17Aam Israel Khai.
32:30Aam Israel Khai.
32:31Jai Hin.
32:36Thank you very much.
33:07×××Ø××Ŗ ××××Ø× ××× ×”×Ŗ, ×× × ××Ŗ××× ×××¢× ×ק ××Ø×ש×× × ×××Ŗ ××××××Ŗ ××ש×× ××Ŗ ×××Ŗ××Ø ××× ×”×Ŗ,
33:16×¢×× ××××× ××××× ××××Ŗ×Ø ×©×××Ŗ ××××קק×× ××ש×Ø××× ××¢× ×ק ××Ø×ש ××ש××Ŗ ××Øפ×××××§× ×©× ××××, × ×Ø× ××Ø× ××××,
33:26×××ק×Ø× ×¢× ×××××Ŗ× ×××ש××Ŗ ×××××ק ××××”×× ××××× ××× ××× ×¢×× ××××× ×ש×Ø×× ××¢× ×Ŗ×Ø×××Ŗ× ×××¢×ק×Ŗ ש××Ŗ××¤× ×פע××× ××Ŗ×××× ×××××××,
33:38××××××, ××ק××××Ŗ, ××××©× ××Ŗ, ×××× ×××××× ××¢××.
33:42×× ×××××Ŗ×, ××¤× ×©×××××Ŗ× ×××Ŗ×Ø×©× ×××××, ×××××Ŗ ××××××Ŗ ××××¦× ××××××××Ŗ ×ש××Ŗפ××Ŗ ××Ø×××Ŗ ××××,
33:50×××××”×”×Ŗ ×¢× ×¢×Ø××× ×ש××Ŗפ×× ×××× ××Ø×”×× ×ש××Ŗפ×× ××× ×©×Ŗ× ××××× ××Ŗ.
33:55××קש×, ×××× ×.
33:57×Ŗ××× ×Ø××.
34:27×××× ×××©× ×Ø×ש ××× ×”×Ŗ ××××× ×Ø×ש ××ש××Ŗ ××××.
Comments