Netanyahu accused of inventing Knesset award for Modi

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the "Knesset Medal" for his contribution to the Israeli and Jewish people.

Within hours, and predictably so, headlines in the Indian press proclaimed that Israel had presented Modi with its highest parliamentary honour.

But there were a few problems with the award.

No one had ever heard of such an award until it was announced during Knesset speaker Amir Ohana's opening remarks. And until the gold-plated bronze medal was draped around Modi's neck, no one had ever seen it.

According to members of the Israeli opposition, Ohana had simply "invented" it. Before Modi's visit, it didn't exist.

In a report on Ynet, opposition members said the award was "not in the regulations, and there is no committee or presidential approval for it". 

Moreover, not only was it the first time that the award was being conferred, but there was no indication that it ranked as the Israeli parliament's highest honour either. 

"This is a new honorary decoration on behalf of the Knesset and its Speaker, expressing appreciation and recognition for individuals and organizations for their significant contribution to the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and for their efforts to advance the Knesset's core values," a statement from the Knesset read.

"The committee that selected Prime Minister Modi to be the first recipient of the medal stated that he​ 'significantly strengthened ties between India and Israel and deepened strategic cooperation between the countries'," it added.

There were, however, other oddities.

On Thursday morning local time, the official page on the Knesset website announcing the award was not operational. It was restored early on Thursday afternoon.

The Wikipedia page about the new award offered few details and showed that it, too, had been hastily created in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

'Non-existent medal'

Opposition politicians said the conferral of a "non-existent" honour to Modi underscored the growing dysfunction of the Knesset under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.

"What we see in recent times in the Knesset is the total departure from the basic rules and traditions the Knesset was accustomed to, and everything is done in order to please Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government," Dov Khenin, a member of the Knesset, told Middle East Eye.

"The non-existent medal to Modi is just one more example of this," he added.

Khenin said it was "very unfortunate" that the Knesset had turned into a tool for government policy rather than playing the role of an independent institution. 

The criticism came as many opposition members boycotted Ohana's and Netanyahu's remarks before Modi's speech over the speaker's decision to exclude Supreme Court president Isaac Amit from the event.

The office of the Knesset spokesperson did not reply to MEE's request for comment by the time of publication.

In his remarks, Ohana said the award "expresses our deep appreciation for his work to create a strategic alliance between Israel and India."

"His policy is an expression of a courageous, consistent and sincere friendship with the State of Israel, and of a firm stand by its side even in complex and challenging times," Ohana added.

According to the Knesset, the medal features Israel’s state emblem, the Knesset building and the flags in the Knesset plaza.

It is also said to feature the biblical verse, “Hast crowned him with glory and honour” (Psalms 8:6), next to olive branches.

On X, Modi thanked Ohana for the gesture.

"This is a great honor for me to receive the Knesset Medal. I accept it with humility and deep gratitude.

"This is not an award for a single individual, but an expression of the strong and enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide both our nations," Modi wrote.

Earlier, during his address, Modi highlighted the deep ties and friendship between India and Israel and condemned the events of 7 October 2023, describing them as "a barbaric terror attack carried out by Hamas".

"We feel your pain. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond. Nothing justifies terror,” Modi said.

India and Israel signed a raft of MoUs during Modi's visit in fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, education, and commerce.

The duo also agreed to deepen defence ties, in what some are suggesting may be close to $10bn worth of deals in the coming years. 

Back in India, where support for Israel remains strong among Modi's base as well as among the business and media elite, there were pockets of criticism for his visit to Israel, with several accusing the prime minister of enabling the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed.  

Since 7 October 2023, India has offered diplomatic and material support to Israel in its genocidal war in Gaza, even if it officially still holds a two-state solution as its official policy.