We must oppose terrorism: PM
Breaking protocol, Israeli PM welcomes Modi at airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his “ground-breaking” visit to Israel on Tuesday, receiving an extraordinary welcome by the Jewish nation.
Mr Modi, who has been a longtime admirer of Israel’s surgical strike capabilities, recalled Israel’s Operation Entebbe, saying: “Today is July 4, exactly 41 years since the day your Prime Minister and my friend Bibi (Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu) lost his older brother Yoni, while saving the lives of so many Israeli hostages.”
Welcoming Mr Modi personally at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, Mr Netanyahu said, “Aapka swagat hai, mere dost (Welcome, my friend)” in Hindi. Mr Modi responded in He-brew, “Shalom le kulaam ani semya mayodh lehiyot po (I am delighted to be here in Israel).”
Later briefing media with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Modi said, “We must oppose evils of terrorism, radicalism and violence that plague our time.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his “ground-breaking” visit to Israel on Tuesday, receiving an extraordinary welcome by the Jewish nation.
Mr Modi later Tuesday evening also visited Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and honoured the victims of one of the greatest tragedies in human history as some six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany.
Mr Modi was accompanied by Mr Netanyahu at Yad Vashem and other venues.
The personal chemistry and warmth between Mr Modi and Mr Netanyahu was apparent in their remarks and in their series of hugs. Reflecting the importance that Israel is according the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the founding of the Jewish state 70 years ago, the host nation pulled out all the stops to welcome Mr Modi — Mr Netanyahu broke protocol to come to Ben Gurion airport and welcomed his guest along with the entire Israeli Cabinet and representatives of various religious orders — an honour usually reserved only for the US President and the Pope.
“In their prepared speeches, both leaders described each other as “my friend” and embraced each other three times.
Behind the overt affection and friendship lies deep political significance as India has, for the first time, delinked its relationship with Israel from its traditional support to the Palestinians. India now hopes to leverage its relationship with Israel to attract more investment, and gain from cuttingedge Israeli technology.
“It is truly a historic visit,” said Mr Netanyahu while welcoming Mr Modi.
Hailing Mr Modi as “a great leader of India and a great world leader”, Mr Netanyahu said: “We have been waiting for the last 70 years” for a visit by an Indian PM.
They vowed to give a push to bilateral ties in all aspects and jointly deal with common threats like terrorism.