Israel Says ‘Advancing’ Arrival of Indian Workers Discussed in Modi-Netanyahu Phone Call

New Delhi: One week after India changed its United Nations vote to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders reportedly talked of expediting the arrival of Indian workers in Israel.

This is the second conversation that Modi had with Netanyahu since Hamas’s terror attack on Israel on October 7. Israel’s massive retaliation to the attack has killed thousands in Gaza.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday (December 19) evening, Modi wrote that during a “productive” exchange of views on the “ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict” with Netanyahu, the two had “shared concerns” about maritime traffic.

This was a reference to the disruption of shipping lanes after Yemen-based Houthis attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea to protest Israel’s strikes in Gaza.

While Modi's post did not delve into specifics, the Israeli PM's office alleged that the Houthis' attacks were “instigated by Iran”.

Israel also claimed that Modi “noted that [the] freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured”.

Additionally, the Indian PM stated that he “highlighted India’s consistent stand in favour of the early restoration of peace [and] stability in the region with continued humanitarian assistance for the affected”.

Modi’s post did not repeat it, but India has until now referred to Hamas’s attack as an act of terror and reiterated the need to combat terrorism.

He had immediately expressed “solidarity with Israel” on October 7, which he reiterated in a phone conversation with Netanyahu on October 9.

India had abstained from the first resolution of the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) on October 26 that called for a humanitarian pause to the violence in Gaza on the grounds that its language did not refer to the October 7 attack.

However, less than two months later, India voted yes on a second resolution at the UNGA that called for a ceasefire in Gaza, despite the absence of any condemnatory mention of Hamas in the text.

While neither leader referred to the UNGA resolution in their posts, Netanyahu thanked Modi for “India's support of Israel's just war to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization”.

The Israeli PM also said that the “two leaders also discussed advancing the arrival of foreign workers from India to the State of Israel”.

No clarification on this matter or its details was provided by the Indian side.

In May this year, India and Israel had signed an agreement during the visit of Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen that would facilitate arrangements for 42,000 Indian additional workers to reach Israel, out of which 34,000 would be brought into the construction industry.

There are currently around 18,000 to 20,000 Indian nationals in Israel, most of them working in the healthcare sector.

Israel has been facing a perennial shortage of labour and has sought to bring in more workers from India, China and Morocco.

With the work permits of Palestinians cancelled after the October 7 attack, the labour shortage had become even more acute and the Israeli housing industry called for the early arrival of Indian workers.

As per diplomatic sources, preliminary talks were underway last month to bring around 15,000 Indian workers to Israel.

The Indian government spokesperson had, however, said that there were no specific requests from Israel.

This was reiterated in an answer by Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan in parliament on December 14.

“The government has not made any discussions with Israel regarding possible replacement of Palestinian labourers with Indian workers,” he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

After the terror attacks in Israel, around 1,309 Indian nationals returned to India in six special flights. While around 11 Indian nationals were in Palestine, only one has returned after being facilitated to escape Gaza through Egypt.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.