Israel

Rubio to visit Israel as tensions with Iran escalate: US State Dept

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a quick trip to Israel early next week as tensions between the United States and Iran soar amid a massive buildup of US forces in the Middle East, the State Department said Friday. The department said in a statement that Rubio would visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to "discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza." It offered no other details. The announcement comes just hours after the US Embassy in Jerusalem implemented "authorised departure" status for non-essential personnel and family members, which means that eligible staffers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.

16 agreements, FTA push, tech ties: What Modi’s visit to Israel delivered | India-Israel relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2026 visit to Israel has elevated bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” From 16 agreements across AI

China advises its nationals in Israel to strengthen safety precautions

Earlier on Friday, China advised nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those in the country to evacuate as soon as possible, as tensions build between Tehran and Washington

US tells embassy staff to 'leave Israel if they wish' as war fears mount

The US Embassy in Israel on Friday told its staff that it could leave the country and urged anyone considering departure to do so immediately, as the threat of an American strike on Iran looms. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee told embassy employees in an email that discussions with officials in Washington had led to a decision authorizing departures for those who wished to leave. The email was recounted to The Associated Press by someone involved with the US mission who wasn't authorised to share details. Sent before 10:30 a.m., it urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to to focus initially on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington. "Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY," Huckabee wrote, using an acronym for "authorized departure." "While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be," he added. Huckabee said that there was no need for panic, but for those desiring to leave, it was important t

India-Israel strengthen defence ties as countries decide to elevate ties

The two leaders discussed the regional developments and underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region

India, Israel elevate bilateral ties, to conclude FTA soon: PM Modi

An agreement has been reached for the use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, the Prime Minister said after the meeting

PM Modi visits Israeli tech exhibition, invites firms to invest in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Israeli technology companies to invest in India and partner with Indian youth as he visited an exhibition here showcasing pioneering innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, and agriculture. Modi was accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit to the exhibition on Wednesday. In a social media post on Thursday, Modi said the exhibition showcased "special innovations" from the world of technology. "Got a glimpse of pioneering work by Israeli youth in areas such as AI, Quantum, healthcare, cyber security, water resources, agriculture and more. Urged Israeli companies to invest in India and work with our talented youth," he said. According to a press release, the exhibition featured leading Israeli companies and research entities specialising in agri-tech, water-tech, climate-tech, health-biotech, smart mobility, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. "Innovation and technology ...

'Splendid': PM Modi praises Netanyahu for wearing traditional Indian attire

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour

'Unabashed defence of host': Congress slams PM's Israeli Parliament address

The Congress on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Israeli Parliament, saying it was an "unabashed defence of his host" premier Benjamin Netanyahu. The opposition party also recalled India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru's July 1947 reply to Albert Einstein's letter to him on the subject of the creation of Israel. Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards "just and durable peace" in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that "terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere." "I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 (2023)," Modi said. "We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing c

'More than a friend': Netanyahu praises PM Modi, thanks him for support

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "more than a friend", his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday showered praises on the Indian leader and thanked him for standing by Israel's side after the dastardly attack of October 7, 2023. Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn the deadly attacks by Hamas in which almost 1,200 Israelis were killed and some 250 kidnapped. "Prime ministers and heads of state come to the Knesset and it's always an exciting moment for all of us. But my dear friend Narendra, I'm especially moved by your visit. You are a great friend of Israel and a great leader at the world stage....Narendra, you are more than a friend. You are a brother," an emotional Netanyahu said at the beginning of his speech. "We took off our shoes, and waded in the ocean. We didn't walk on water but have done miracles," Netanyahu said in reference to the viral picture of the two leaders walking barefoot in the ocean during Modi's first visit as prime ministe

India, Israel trade pact to unlock vast potential: PM in Israeli parliament

Congress and Left parties say Modi's visit amounts to betrayal of the Palestinian cause

Netanyahu hails 'the Modi hug' ahead of PM's address at Knesset

Ahead of his address at the Knesset, Modi received a warm welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Speaker Amir Ohana, with members of Parliament rising in applause

PM Modi lands in Israel, Netanyahu accords ceremonial red carpet welcome

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived here on a two-day visit during which he will hold meetings with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, address the parliament and interact with the Indian diaspora. Modi was received by PM Netanyahu and his wife Sara at the airport. The two leaders hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries. The prime minister was given a ceremonial red carpet welcome. This is Modi's second state visit to Israel after 2017. After a meeting with Netanyahu at the airport, Modi will address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to have the honour. In his departure statement, the prime minister said India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism, and he is looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Modi said the visit comes at the invitation of his "dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu." During the visit, Modi will a

Dozen US F-22 fighter planes land in Israel amid tensions with Iran

American news outlets also reported that a US official has confirmed that the fifth-generation aircraft landed at an Israeli air force airbase in South Israel

PM Modi departs for Israel, to hold talks with Netanyahu, address Knesset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for Israel for a two-day visit during which he will have discussions with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, and interact with the Indian diaspora. In his departure statement, the prime minister said India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism, and he is looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Modi said the visit comes at the invitation of his "dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu." "I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said. Modi will address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to have the honour. During th

US embassy to offer consular services at Israeli settlement in West Bank

The US embassy in Jerusalem plans to offer consular services for the first time at an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. A statement posted Wednesday to the US embassy's account on the social platform X said consular officers "will be providing routine passport services" to US citizens Friday in the West Bank settlement of Efrat. The embassy said a similar outreach service is planned in the coming months in the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, calling the services part of its "efforts to reach all Americans." The US embassy has previously provided consular services in Ramallah and other Palestinian cities in the West Bank. The move continues a shift in policy under US President Donald Trump's administration, which has been far friendlier to Israeli settlements in the West Bank than past US presidents. "We welcome the historic decision by the US embassy in Jerusalem to extend consular services to American citizens in Judea and Samaria," Israel's Foreign Ministry said o

PM Modi's second Israel visit to boost bilateral defence, trade cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle-east including deteriorating ties between the US and Iran. Modi's engagements will include his address to Israel's parliament, wide-ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and a meeting with President Isaac Herzog. It is learnt that boosting overall defence and security cooperation between the two sides will be a major area of discussions during delegation level talks involving the two prime ministers on Thursday. Netanyahu is scheduled to host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday night. It will be Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Modi's first visit to that country in July, 2017. Netanyahu had made a return visit to India in January 2018. India and Israel share a robust strategic

PM Modi to visit Israel: What’s on the agenda? | India-Israel relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel on February 25–26, 2026, marking his second trip since the landmark 2017 visit.

EU diplomats to meet 'Board of Peace' director over Gaza's future

The European Union's top diplomats are set to meet Monday with the director of the Board of Peace in Brussels after a shaky and controversial embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to secure and rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Nikolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician and U.N. diplomat chosen by Trump to manage the Board of Peace, will meet the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and foreign ministers from across the 27-nation bloc. The EU diplomats are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and fresh sanctions on Russia. Just across the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle East, the EU has deep links to Israel and the Palestinians. It now plays a crucial oversight role at the Rafah border crossing, and is the top donor to the Palestinian Authority. The question of whether to work with the Trump-led board has split national capitals from Nicosia to Copenhagen. The EU is supportive of the United Nations' mandate in Gaza. EU members Hungary and Bulgaria are fu

Netanyahu outlines PM Modi's itinerary ahead of 'historic' Israel visit

This will be PM Modi's second visit to the country, following his 2017 visit when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel