Modi Becomes First World Leader to Receive Top Civilian Honors from Both Israel and Palestine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset Medal by Israel’s parliament on February 25, 2026, making him the first recipient of this newly established honor, which is the highest award bestowed by the Knesset.

The medal, presented by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana following Modi’s address to the parliament, recognizes his exceptional personal leadership in significantly strengthening and elevating the strategic partnership between India and Israel.

This accolade positions Modi as a rare world leader to have received the highest-level civilian honors from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas conferred upon him the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honor granted by Palestine to foreign heads of state.

Such distinctions are extremely uncommon amid the ongoing political conflict between Israel and Palestine, making leaders who receive top awards from both sides exceptionally rare.

During his speech in the Knesset, Modi emphasized a united stance against terrorism, stating that terrorism anywhere poses a threat to peace everywhere. He reiterated his commitment to further strengthening India-Israel relations.