Indians in Israel

Last updated
Indians in Israel
Regions with significant populations
Tel Aviv, Beersheva, Ramla
Languages
Hebrew  • Judeo-Malayalam  • Judeo-Marathi  • Judeo-Urdu  • Hindi  • English  • Telugu  • · Kannada  · Konkani  · Indian Languages
Religion
Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and other Indian religions
Related ethnic groups
Indian Jews in Israel, NRI and PIO, Indian Jews, Jews

Indians in Israel consist of those who identify as Jewish and those who identify as other categories of Indian. In 2023 there were approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian origin, while around 18,000 to 20,000 Indian nationals are employed in Israel. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

The vast majority of Indian nationals in Israel work in the healthcare sector, such as caregivers to the elderly. [2] There are also a notable population of IT workers and diamond traders. [4]

Indian students also make up the largest foreign student community in Israel. [5]

There is a significant community of Indian Jews in Israel doing white-collar jobs mainly working in the industrial sector; some have started their own businesses. They are mostly members of mixed families, more specifically, Halachically non-Jewish members of Jewish households living in Israel. The Indian migrants work in sectors of the Israel economy such as construction, manufacturing and the service sector. Most Indian migrants come from places such Ernakulam, Mala, Parur, Chennamangalam and Cochin. [6] Around 85,000 Indians in Israel are Indian Jews. [7]

Numerous Indian companies have offices in Israel, but they employ mostly Israeli nationals. [4]

Israel views India more favorably than any other country in the world, [8] and India is the most popular destination for Israeli tourists. [9] Narendra Modi has been considered by some to be the most popular person in Israel. [10] Indians are largely viewed in global circles as being pro-Israel. [11]

Telugu expats account for 4000, with 800 from Telangana's Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts mostly and 3200 from Andhra Pradesh's erstwhile East Godavari and West Godavari districts mostly. [12]

Culture

Jews

In 2011, cultural artists and performers from India arrived in Israel to participate in a three-week festival commemorating 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to India's then Ambassador to Israel Navtej Sarna, the purpose of the festival was to improve the bilateral relationship between the two countries by facilitating a greater understanding of each other's culture. [13]

Hindus, Buddhists, Jains

Traditionally the majority of Indians in Israel were Jewish, though a growing population of Hindus has been appearing in recent times coinciding with the improved relations between Israel and India under Modi's premiership. In 2020, about 0.01% of Israel's population were Hindus. [14]

Yoga

A branch of Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre International, founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, a direct disciple of Sri Swami Sivananda, of Rishikesh, India, opened in 1971 and since then the center has been the largest and most comprehensive school in Israel for the study and practice of classical yoga in all its branches.

A group of devotees is living in Katzir-Harish. Another Vaishnava community is in Israeli settlement in west bank in Israeli-occupied territory of Ariel. It is spearheaded by Jagadish and his wife, Jugala-Priti, and serves a growing community. Jugala-Priti joined the ISKCON center in Tel Aviv, in 1996 guided by Gunavatar and Varshabhanavi. [15]

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously in favor of adopting 21 June as International Yoga Day. [16] In a clear sign of growing affinity between the two countries, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv organizes annual yoga day celebrations, where Israelis from all walks of life take part in various yogic exercises. Yoga has proven to be immensely popular in Israel and is a sign of Israel's cultural connection to India. [17]

Muslims

Laborers

In May 2023, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen agreed to a foreign worker deal with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar, in which India would send 42,000 workers predominantly in the construction field, to Israel. [18] The bilateral agreement reached the full Knesset for a vote on its approval in November 2023. [19]

The State Bank of India in Israel State Bank of India in Israel.JPG
The State Bank of India in Israel

In the aftermath of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Israeli business groups in October 2023, including The Israel Builders Association, have urged the Israeli government to hire up to 100,000 Indian workers to replace Palestinians who had their work permits cancelled due to the war. [20] [21] These workers receive a monthly wage of $1600. [22]

Furthermore, around 20,000 from Sri Lanka will also travel to Israel as part of the same initiative, joining an existing group of 9000 Sri Lankans who work in various professional and non-professional jobs. [23]

Tourism

Stamp commemorating the relationship between India and Israel Stamp of India - 2012 - Colnect 392519 - India Israel - Joint Issue Festival of lights - Hanukkah.jpeg
Stamp commemorating the relationship between India and Israel

Israel has a strict visa policy due to security fears. [24] Nevertheless, Israel is a booming destination for Indian tourists and Israel has been courting increased tourism from India. Around 60,000 Indian nationals visited Israel in 2017, and 40,000 during the first half of 2018. [25] In 2019 75,000 nationals of India visited Israel. [26]

Conversely India is a very popular destination for young Israeli tourists. [27] India is the leading destination for Israeli tourists. [9] Around 40,000 Israelis visit India annually. [28] [13]

Israel has gained sizable popularity among business travelers from India as well. [29] Defense tourism has also been a growing niche as well. [30]

In 2024, the Indian ministry of foreign affairs said that it's embassy was in "constant contact" with 20,000 — 30,000 Indian nationals within Israel. [31] [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Israel</span>

Foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic and trade relations between Israel and other countries around the world. Israel has diplomatic ties with 165 of the other 192 UN member states as of 12 December 2020. Israel is a member of the United Nations (UN) and a number of other international organisations. Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours, Egypt and Jordan, after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with three Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. As of 2021, Israel had formal diplomatic relations with 168 other countries, while twenty-eight UN member states have either never established, or have broken off diplomatic relations with Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Israel</span>

Tourism in Israel is a major economic sector and a significant source of national income. Israel offers a plethora of historical and religious sites, beach resorts, natural sites, archaeological tourism, heritage tourism, adventure tourism, and ecotourism. For practical reasons, this article also covers tourism in the West Bank and the Golan Heights, since it is closely interconnected with the mass tourism in Israel. In 2019, Israel saw a record 4.55 million tourist arrivals, with tourism contributing NIS 20 billion to the national economy in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–South Africa relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–South Africa relations refer to the current and historic relationship between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Israel. As of January 2024, South Africa maintains only “limited political and diplomatic interaction” with Israel due to the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations between India and Israel

Since the 1990s, the Republic of India and the State of Israel have had a comprehensive economic, military, and political relationship. In 1947, India voted against the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, but nonetheless recognized Israeli sovereignty in 1950. Israel opened a consulate in Bombay in 1953. Collaboration gradually increased as Israel became a key Indian ally amidst the India–Pakistan conflict; Israel supplied India with armaments, ammunition, and intelligence during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1999. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1992, when India opened an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel opened an embassy in New Delhi. Both countries are members of the I2U2 Group, formed in October 2021, and have stated that they have a strong bilateral relationship, sharing similarities in spirit and facing common challenges, increasingly cooperating in the industrial and technological sectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Israel</span>

Hinduism in Israel refers to the Hindu population in Israel. In 2020, about 0.1% of Israel's population were Hindus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Serbia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel and Serbia maintain diplomatic relations established between Israel and SFR Yugoslavia in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Ukraine relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Israel and Ukraine. Both countries recognized each other on 11 May 1949 as the Ukrainian SSR and established de jure diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991 when Ukraine became independent. Israel has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate-general in Haifa. There are 30,000 Ukrainians settled in Israel, while Ukraine has one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. Ukraine was also the first state outside of Israel to have had both a Jewish president and prime minister simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chile–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Chile–Israel relations refers to the bilateral and diplomatic ties between Chile and Israel. Chile recognized Israel's independence in February 1949. Both countries established diplomatic relation on 16 May 1950, with Israel sending their first ambassador on that date and Chile sending their first ambassador on 16 June 1952. Chile has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Santiago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Thailand relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Thailand relations refers to diplomatic and cultural ties between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Thailand. The countries have had official relations since June 1954. The Israeli embassy in Bangkok was established in 1958. Since 1996, Thailand has had an embassy in Tel Aviv. Thailand and Israel share a close and friendly relationship, and cooperate on many fields. People-to-people relations between the two countries are also good, as thousands of Thais are employed in Israel, and millions of Israelis have visited and continue to visit Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Spain relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel and Spain have maintained diplomatic ties since 1986. Israel has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Tel Aviv, and an honorary consulate in Haifa. There is also a General Consulate in Jerusalem, which serves as a diplomatic mission to the city of Jerusalem, Gaza and the territories of the West Bank. In addition to both countries being member states of the United Nations, both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Georgia–Israel relations are diplomatic, commercial and cultural ties between Georgia and Israel. Diplomatic relations were formally established on June 1, 1992, alongside establishing diplomatic relations with the US. Georgia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate in Jerusalem. Israel has an embassy in Tbilisi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Lithuania relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Lithuania relations are foreign relations between Israel and Lithuania. Israel recognized Lithuania's independence in 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Israel is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Vilnius which was opened in 2015. Lithuania has an embassy in Tel Aviv.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Romania relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Romania relations are foreign relations between Israel and Romania. The two nations established diplomatic relations on 11 June 1948. Israel has an embassy in Bucharest. Romania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a general consulate in Haifa, and 2 honorary consulates. The two have signed treaties and agreements and both are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austria–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral foreign relations exist between Austria and Israel. The fact that Adolf Hitler and other perpetrators of The Holocaust came from Austria gives the relationship between the two countries a special relevance. At the same time, the founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, also lived in Austria-Hungary and many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews. After the founding of Israel, the Second Austrian Republic recognized the Jewish state of Israel shortly after its founding in 1949, before official diplomatic relations were established in 1956. In the 1970s, Bruno Kreisky sought a role as mediator in the Middle East conflict and called for a Palestinian state, which caused disputes with the Israelis. Relations were later strained by the Waldheim affair in the 1980s and the first FPÖ government participation in 2000. After that, the two countries became close allies and established friendly relations. In 2023, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced “we have entered into a strategic, extremely close relationship with Israel that can no longer be undone”. Within the EU, Austria is considered one of the most pro-Israeli countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992. In 1947, Belarus voted in favor for the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. Belarus operates an embassy in Tel Aviv, while Israel operates an embassy in Minsk. Around 130,000 Belarusian citizens immigrated to Israel during the 1990s under the Law of Return.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Philippines relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and the Republic of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Switzerland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Switzerland recognized Israel on January 25, 1949 and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Bern. Since 1958, Switzerland has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Eilat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazil–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brazil–Israel relations are the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the State of Israel. Brazil has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Haifa. Israel has an embassy in Brasília and a consulate-general in São Paulo. The Brazilian ambassador to Israel is Gerson Menandro Garcia de Freitas. Israel's current ambassador to Brazil is Daniel Zohar Zonshine. Brazil and Israel maintain close political and military ties. The two nations enjoy a degree of arms cooperation. Brazil is a full member state of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, while several Brazilian elected officials participate in the Israel Allies Caucus, a political advocacy organization that mobilizes pro-Israel parliamentarians in governments worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between Argentina and Israel began shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948, with the countries establishing diplomatic relations on 31 May 1949.

References

  1. ↑ "The first Indian Jews in Israel and the racism they faced". The Indian Express. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  2. 1 2 "Why is Israel an attractive destination for Indian caregivers?". The Indian Express. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  3. ↑ "QUESTION NO-1106 INDIANS LIVING IN ISRAEL". fsi.mea.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  4. 1 2 "Traders, students, caregivers: A look at number of Indians in war-hit Israel". India Today. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  5. ↑ Kallungal, Dhinesh (2024-05-20). "Despite war clouds, Indian students make up largest share of foreign students in Israel". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  6. ↑ KUSHNER, GILBERT (1968). "Indians in Israel: Guided Change in a New-Immigrant Village". Human Organization. 27 (4): 352–361. doi:10.17730/humo.27.4.a1m3h203437557nk. ISSN   0018-7259. JSTOR   44125035.
  7. ↑ "Welcome to Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, Israel". www.indembassyisrael.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  8. ↑ Samuels, Ben (2023-08-29). "Israel views India more favorably than any country in the world, survey finds". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  9. 1 2 read, Getting to Israel·1 min (2011-03-07). "And the top Asian country for tourists to Israel is… India!". The ESSENTIAL guide to Israel | iGoogledIsrael.com. Retrieved 2024-06-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ PTI (2021-11-02). "Watch | 'You are the most popular person in Israel': PM Bennett to PM Modi". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  11. ↑ Blarel, Nicolas (2023-11-17). "How India Became Pro-Israel". TIME. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  12. ↑ https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Oct/03/indians-in-israel-recount-shock-and-awe-during-iran-missile-attack
  13. 1 2 "Three week fest to commemorate Indo-Israel diplomatic ties". The Economic Times . 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  14. ↑ "National Profiles". the ARDA.
  15. ↑ "Waves of Devotion - Journals: May 2002 Archives". www.wavesofdevotion.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  16. ↑ "Welcome to International Day of Yoga". pminewyork.org. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "International Day of Yoga 2018". Secret Tel Aviv.
  18. ↑ "Israel, India ink agreement to allow 42,000 Indian workers to work in Jewish state". mint. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  19. ↑ "History on the Knesset table: Will 40k Indian workers come to Israel?". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  20. ↑ "Israel could replace Palestinian workers with 100,000 Indian migrants, says business leader". Yahoo News. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  21. ↑ "Indians to replace Palestinians? Israel construction sector looks to hire 1 lakh workers amid Gaza war". Hindustan Times. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  22. ↑ "With Palestinian laborers shut out of Israel, Indian workers line up for jobs there". NPR.
  23. ↑ Uditha, Jayasinghe (23 November 2023). "Thousands of Sri Lankan workers set to depart for Israel despite war". Reuters.
  24. ↑ "Why Doesn't Israel Allow Visa On Arrival For Indian Tourists?". www.icicilombard.com. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  25. ↑ Sridharan, Vasudevan (2018-08-05). "Why Israel is becoming the destination of choice among Indian tourists". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  26. ↑ Mumbai, Prasenjit Chakraborty- (2023-04-04). "'The Indian market is an important and growing source of revenue for the Israeli tourism industry'" . Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  27. ↑ "Israel-Hamas war takes toll on travel in peak Indian tourism season". Money Control.
  28. ↑ "Lifting away the weight of 3 years: Why we Israelis go to India after the army". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "Israel expects 3 lakh Indian tourists annually in next 3-4 years". Hindustan Times.
  30. ↑ "Indians can now head to Israel to explore something called de fence tourism". India Today. 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  31. ↑ "'In constant contact with Indians in Israel during challenging times': MEA". The Times of India. 2024-11-02. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  32. ↑ "Our embassy is in constant touch with them: MEA on Indians in Israel". The Economic Times. 2024-11-02. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.