Dozens of Indian construction workers have departed for Israel this week amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The labor shortage in Israel, exacerbated by the ban on Palestinian workers following a deadly attack by Hamas, has prompted the arrival of Indian workers under a pre-existing agreement between the two nations, as stated by Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.
Jaiswal emphasized the significance of the workers' safety, stating, "For us, their safety is very important, and we have urged the Israeli authorities to do their best to take care of their safety and well-being."
Currently, there are 18,000 Indians employed in Israel, primarily in caregiving roles. Last May, during Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's visit to India, an agreement was signed to allow approximately 40,000 Indians to work in construction and nursing in Israel.
The initial group of over 60 construction workers departed earlier this week, with Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, sharing images of their send-off ceremony on social media.
In January, a significant number of Indian laborers had gathered at government recruitment centers in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana seeking opportunities for employment in Israel.
India's stance on the conflict includes condemning Hamas' attack on Israel while supporting a U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid. Additionally, India has reiterated its backing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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