Naor Gilon, the Ambassador of Israel to India, while celebrating National Day of Israel in India said both the Government and the people of India stood on the side of Israel since October 7. Gilon thanked the Government of India and the people for standing with the Jewish nation in its hour of crisis. "From October 7, both the Government and the people of India stood on the side of Israel. And this we will never forget. The amount of support we get here is nothing short of amazing. It's a testimony of the extraordinary relations between the Indian and the Jewish people," said the Israeli Ambassador.
Ambassador also paid tributes to two Keralites who risked lives to save aged couple during the attack by Hamas on October 7. "I take this occasion to salute the heroism of people of Indian descent: Meera and Sabitha, caregivers from Kerala, who saved an elderly couple during the terror attack; and Romi (6), an Israeli child of Indian descent, whose parents were murdered in front of her, tried to protect her little sister — Lia (3) during the attack. They have shown extraordinary courage and a strong spirit, inspiring the entire nation of Israel," said Gilon.
The 76th anniversary of Israel was observed on Tuesday at New Delhi with a call to the Hamas to release the 128 citizens of Israel who were taken hostage by the Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel's National Day was organised by the Embassy of Israel in India with Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the foreign secretary of India, gracing the occasion as chief guest. Despite the deep wounds inflicted by the Hamas terrorists on Israeli people, the Ambassador paid glowing tributes to the two caregivers from Kerala who saved an aged couple from the jaws of death.
He stated that this Independence Day was complicated and painful. "But our resolve is strong. While we mark this Independence Day, our thoughts are with the 128 loved ones who are still held captive. Their immediate release remains our sincere hope and ongoing mission.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, "We join the people of Israel to celebrate this momentous occasion. It is deeply inspiring that the extraordinary journey of a nation that has not only survived and thrived against all odds, but also transformed itself into a flourishing landscape of innovation, advancement, and growth.
Over the years, our partnership has grown exponentially and is marked by mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration across various sectors."
"The terror attacks on October 7 have left us all shaken. India itself is a victim of cross-border terrorism and has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There can be no justifications for acts of terror. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the hostages and innocent lives lost in these heinous acts," he added.
The national anthems of India and Israel were played along with a special video message by the Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. Elsewhere in Kerala, the Christian Alliance and Action for Social Action reiterated its commitment to Israel in fighting the terrorists attacking the Jewish State. "Our hearts are with the people of Israel. We pray for the safe return of the 128 hostages at the earliest," said Kevin Peter, CASA's president.
