Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Israel on a two-day visit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara gave him a grand welcome at the airport. Netanyahu broke protocol and hugged his ‘friend Modi’. PM Modi was also given a guard of honour. This is his second visit to Israel after 9 years. Regarding the grand welcome of the Israeli PM, the Prime Minister posted on X and wrote, I feel honored by the welcome given by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the airport. I hope that bilateral discussions will yield better results to strengthen the friendship between India and Israel.

PM Modi posted on X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X and wrote, ‘Arrived in Israel… I am extremely honored to be welcomed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport / I look forward to bilateral discussions and fruitful results that strengthen India-Israel friendship.’

Landed in Israel.

I am extremely honored to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel friendship.@netanyahu pic.twitter.com/FYGDv0M3Xy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2026

Netanyahu responded to PM Modi’s post

Responding to PM Modi’s post, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Prime Minister Modi, it is a great honor to welcome you to Israel. You are welcome…”

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu responds to PM Narendra Modi’s tweet, “It’s a great honor to welcome you to Israel, Prime Minister Modi. Welcome…” pic.twitter.com/xqVp64fvOv

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026

The Prime Minister left for Israel on Wednesday (25 February) morning and reached Tel Aviv at around 4.30 am. Where he was warmly welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Second visit to Israel after 9 years

This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second visit to Israel after 9 years. Earlier he had gone to Israel in July 2017. The delegation meeting is to be held on 26th February. Apart from this, Prime Minister Modi will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The timing of PM Modi’s visit to Israel is also very important, it is happening at a time when tension is increasing in the Middle East. Whereas even after the war has stopped, sporadic clashes continue in Gaza.

A big controversy has erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible speech in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. Israel’s opposition parties are threatening a boycott, which could lead to the problem of vacant seats in Parliament. In view of this, Israeli Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana has made a unique plan. He has decided to call former MPs, so that they can sit on the vacant seats and there is no disgrace for Israel in front of PM Modi. PM Modi is going to visit Israel on Wednesday i.e. 25 February 2026, where many important agreements are also expected.

What problem does the opposition in Israel have with PM Modi’s speech?

This news has come at a time when the discussion about a new agreement in the field of defense and security between India and Israel is in full swing. PM Modi is being welcomed on a large scale in Israel, but domestic politics has put a hurdle in it. The opposition says that if Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Emit is not invited, they will boycott the speech.

It is an old tradition in Israel that the Chief Justice is called during foreign leaders’ addresses to Parliament. But the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to invite Justice Emit, raising questions on his qualifications.

What is the demand of the opposition?

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has given a strong reaction on this issue. Last week he had said, ‘If the alliance boycotts the President of the Supreme Court in the special session with the Prime Minister of India, we will not be able to attend it.’

Lapid accused the Parliament Speaker of damaging Israel’s international image. He appealed to Netanyahu to instruct the Speaker to invite Justice Emit. Lapid says that this will embarrass the Knesset and affect Israel’s foreign relations.

PM Israel is avoiding embarrassment in front of Modi

In response, Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana rejected the opposition’s criticism outright. He said that if Yair Lapid wants to spoil relations with an important friend of Israel and one of the world’s major powers, then it is his own decision.

Ohana reminded that there have been previous occasions when there have been addresses by foreign leaders, such as the visits of Argentine President Javier Meili and US President Donald Trump, where the Chief Justice was not invited. Still the opposition did not boycott him. The Speaker clearly said that by calling former MPs, the Parliament will be shown as full, so that there is no shortage in front of PM Modi.

Israel has high expectations from PM Modi’s visit

This visit of PM Modi is considered very important for India-Israel relations. Defense deals, technical cooperation and security agreements can be negotiated between the two countries. Israel has already helped India on many occasions, such as supplying arms in the Kargil war. But this time the domestic dispute has raised questions on the entire tour. Experts believe that if the boycott happens, it could expose Israel’s internal political discord to the world.

This news is getting a lot of coverage in the Israeli media. Some reports say that the government is not ready to accept the demand of the opposition, because there is already a controversy over the selection of Justice Amit. On the other hand, the opposition is calling it an issue of protecting democracy. It remains to be seen whether this dispute will be resolved before PM Modi’s visit or not.