Stany Bela
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 4 became the first PM to visit the Jewish nation of Israel since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations 25 years ago. During his two-day visit, PM Modi is expected to have detailed discussions with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin on all matters of mutual interest. Beside this, he will address the Indian public residing in Israel at Tel Aviv fairgrounds.
The 6,000-odd members of the Jewish community living in India are looking forward to PM Modi's visit with a lot of hope and expectation.
The Jewish are one of the smallest ethnic groups in the country. The members of the community are hoping that Modi's visit to Israel would result in the recognition of their community as minority.
File Photo of PM Modi with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu
Only the government of Maharashtra has given minority status to the Jews. Members of the community living in Kerala, West Bengal, Gujarat and New Delhi are not considered as minorities. The Jewish community wants its recognition as a minority community recognised at a pan-India level. Currently, only Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and Jains are recognised as minority in India.
Speaking exclusively to daijiworld, the spiritual head of the Jewish community in Mumbai Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky residing at Chabad Center, Mumbai said, "We are extremely happy that our Prime Minister is going to visit Israel. No doubt, Israelites will give him a royal welcome. This visit will kick-start the new era of India's and Israel's diplomatic ties. Our Prime Minister and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu have already proved that they are powerful leaders in the world at the moment. The world is eagerly waiting for their meeting.
"We Jews are only a handful here in India. We are a part of this nation and happy to say that we are Indians. We have never faced any problem or harassment here. We are enjoying minority status in Maharashtra and our members are waiting for the same who are living out side Maharashtra. We are hoping that the Indian government will grant this status to all Jews residing in the country. For us, India is our motherland. We are Indians first and Jews second. If Israel is in our hearts, India is in our blood," he added.
Festive mood among Indians in Israel
A large number of Indians residing in Israel are all excited for PM Modi's visit. People from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra are all in festive mood and are set to welcome Modi in Israel.
Ronald from Puttur who is working in Israel since two years said, "We are extremely happy about our PM's visit here. Being his fan, my boss gave me three days off from work. He too is attending the mass rally. We are awaiting the PM's arrival.
"We are a group of eight members from Karnataka and have already got the pass for the Prime Minister's programme. We want to see him and hope that he will make some announcement for the welfare of the Indian community living here, especially, immigration process and reduction of the prices of flight tickets during season," said Anna Maria from Beltangady who works in Israel.
Roman, a native of Udupi said, "Ahead of the historic visit, the Israeli media called Modi 'world’s most important Prime Minister'. This is an indicator of the importance attached to the India-Israel ties. Hope the world will get a new message from this visit."