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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first recipient of the Medal of the Knesset (also known as the Speaker of the Knesset Medal), a parliamentary honour created just this year.

Unlike long-established Israeli national awards, this medal has no previous history or recipients.

Here are the verified facts about the award itself:

Official Name & Establishment

Hebrew name: עיטור הכנסת (Itur HaKnesset)
Created in 2026 as a new honorary decoration by the office of the Knesset Speaker.
It is awarded directly by the Speaker of the Knesset (currently Amir Ohana).

Purpose

The medal recognises individuals or organisations for significant contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and for advancing the Knesset’s core values.

A special committee selected Modi as the first recipient, citing his role in strengthening India–Israel ties and deepening strategic cooperation.

Physical Design

The medal is made of gold-plated bronze.

One side shows the Israeli emblem, the Knesset building, and flags in the Knesset plaza.
The reverse shows the Knesset plenum (assembly hall).
It is inscribed with the biblical verse from Psalms 8:6: “Hast crowned him with glory and honor”.
Olive branches symbolise peace; the edge is embossed with stones from the Western Wall.
It hangs from a silver-and-blue ribbon featuring the Star of David.

Why It Was Given to PM Modi

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana presented the medal immediately after Modi’s address to the Knesset.

The official reason: Modi’s “exceptional personal leadership” in building a strategic alliance between India and Israel, including cooperation in defence, technology, innovation, agriculture, and economic ties.

Ohana called it “the highest honour the Knesset can grant”.

Note On Its Status

While Israeli officials and Indian reports describe it as the Knesset’s highest parliamentary honour, the medal is entirely new (only one has been awarded so far).

Because it was instituted in 2026 specifically for this occasion, it does not carry the historical weight or tradition of older Israeli state decorations.

Controversy In Israel

Some opposition lawmakers and Israeli media outlets have criticised the creation of the medal.

They claim Speaker Ohana introduced it unilaterally without full parliamentary approval, committee review, or changes to official Knesset regulations.

Critics have described the process as lacking a formal basis.

PM Modi accepted the medal with humility, saying it belongs not to him personally but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel.

In short, the Medal of the Knesset is a brand-new parliamentary gesture with clear symbolic meaning but limited traditional significance, given its recent origin and a single recipient to date.