New Delhi – Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, conveyed his profound appreciation to the Indian leadership and its citizens for their unwavering support during the recent conflict with Hamas.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Ambassador Gilon underscored the significant backing received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took to Twitter to both condemn and pledge support for Israel. He expressed, “The level of support which we received from Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) who, on Saturday, issued a condemnation and extended solidarity to Israel. We will cherish this.”
Furthermore, Ambassador Gilon intriguingly mused, “I could have another IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) with the Indian volunteers,” highlighting the depth of the support received.
The Ambassador went on to narrate the deluge of phone calls, not just from governmental representatives but also from business leaders, offering their support to Israel.
Highlighting the overwhelming support from the Indian populace, Ambassador Gilon noted the remarkable engagement on the embassy’s social media platforms. He revealed, “Look at the social media of the embassy (Israeli Embassy), it’s astonishing. I could form another IDF with Indian volunteers. Everyone is expressing their desire to volunteer and stand by Israel. This level of unwavering support is unprecedented in my experience.”
In a touching affirmation of the robust relationship between India and Israel, Ambassador Gilon expressed, “India and Israel, the closeness is something I cannot explain.”
The Israel-Hamas conflict, which saw the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launch a series of rocket attacks in southern Israel, resulted in significant casualties. The conflict prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage in a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. In his response, PM Modi unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its manifestations and assured Israel of India’s steadfast support.
The international community, including US President Joe Biden, expressed solid support for Israel in response to the ongoing conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s scheduled visit to Israel is indicative of the high-level discussions surrounding this crisis.
The collaboration and backing between India and Israel in this tumultuous period serve as a testament to the enduring and profound ties between these two nations.
