Relations between Israel and India are on a slow and protracted rise, as evident by the warm and personal friendship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi. The royal entrance of Netanyahu to Rashtrapati Bhavan had been perceived in Israel as something resembling the grand entrance of Daenerys to the Targaryen stronghold, riding on her dragon (Game of Thrones S7:E7) – a long and arduous journey that finally bears fruit in spectacular fashion.
This gradual change in the bilateral relations between the countries occurred over the last two decades. This current relations are in significant contrast to the past. India opposed the partition plan in 1947 and established diplomatic relations with Israel only in 1992.
Netanyahu’s Grand Welcome Generated a Sense of Pride
The warm welcoming of Netanyahu in India shifted the spotlight not only towards the local Jewish community in India but the Indian community Israel too, as expectations rise from both wings.
The excitement in the Indian-Israeli community are noticeable. The critical juncture though, was the recent visit by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel, which the community played a significant role in the preparations for.
Despite the changing dynamics between both nations, the Indian Jewish members were not an essential part of the process, with the exception of a number of traditional community representatives.
Nevertheless, an unconventional movement took place within it. This development is largely due to the place social media holds in our community life. It connects the members who are dispersed from the north to the south of the country. The byproduct of this change was a sense of awakening, in which the essence of being Indian itself generated a sense of pride. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit added an element of validity to these feelings.
The local press is finding much appeal in the traditions, history, and stories of the various community groups. As a daughter of Indian parents from Mumbai and a social activist in the community, the repeated discourse echoes one unequivocal sound — cultural pride.
“Third World” Image No More
In a time when the leader of Israel is being received and exalted in every corner of the globe, no reception compared to the noble welcoming such as the one in Rashtrapati Bhavan. It had glued many to the television screens and gave visual meaning to the power terms of our era.
This kind of projection of power speaks to most of Israeli society. The image of India in the past was of a third-world country — poverty-stricken and weak. This image was cultivated by young backpackers who travelled to the furthest corners of the country and could afford only the cheapest accommodations with their post-army life budget.
The change in the image of India, which started years ago in western Diaspora countries, is only now reaching the doorsteps of the community in Israel. Modi's cultural diplomacy plays a significant role in achieving this triumph. After his recent visit to Israel, television shows reflect a more balanced image of India, emphasising how diverse the population is and the great potential the country offers.
Modi conveys a clear message to both sides that India is not what it was in the past, India is not weak but powerful. Israelis were taken with his charisma and love for Israel. For the Indians in Israel, Modi is enhancing the connection and their commitment to India. He has instilled in the Indian population in Israel a sense of pride in their heritage they did not have before. Some use the terms of affection, “Mother India, Father Israel”.
This has an effect even on second- and third-generation Israelis of Indian descent, who feel they have nothing to prove as Israelis. There is a newly acquired feeling of connection to India, some are experiencing a nostalgic sentiment towards their roots and even consider ridding themselves of their Israeli-given Hebrew last name and carry the suffix "kar" with pride.
During the speech given by Netanyahu at the Tel Aviv Indian Diaspora rally in July, he called the community "a bridge between India and Israel," and he was right to notice. The community carries enormous potential to lead itself into the centre of the Israeli economic and political map through the fruits of strengthening relations.
(Oshrit Birvadker is an Indian Israeli based in Tel Aviv. She’s a social activist and PhD Candidate of Middle Eastern Studies at Bar-Ilan University.)
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