Asad Rizvi 
Lucknow: Amit Singh Chauhan, a commerce postgraduate from Lucknow, has been unable to find a job matching his qualification. Married and burdened with the responsibility of supporting his wife and parents, Chauhan sees Israel as his only hope.
“I know there is an ongoing war, but there are no opportunities here. A job in Israel can change my family’s future,” he said.
Hundreds of workers from Uttar Pradesh are queuing up at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Lucknow, driven by the promise of lucrative blue-collar jobs in conflict-ridden Israel. The ongoing conflict with Hamas has not deterred them, as they weigh the prospects of earning a monthly salary between Rs 1.37 and Rs 1.92 lakh – significantly higher than what they earn in India.
For many of these workers, who come from economically weaker sections, the potential to improve their families’ living standards outweighs the risks of working in a conflict zone. Many of them are the sole breadwinners in their families, struggling to make ends meet despite working overtime.
For instance, Manoj Kumar Ram, a carpenter from Varanasi, underlined how unemployment is “killing” them.
“Unemployment is killing us here. I earn only Rs 500 a day, and with prices of essential commodities skyrocketing, it’s impossible to survive. Even with the risk, I’d rather go to Israel, where I can earn Rs 1.37 lakh a month, than stay here and face daily uncertainty,” Ram explained.
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For Suraj Kumar, a father of three from Basti, the decision to work in Israel was influenced by a relative who is already employed there. “If my relative can work safely despite the war, so can I. With a salary of Rs 1.65 lakh, I can ensure my children get a good education and better healthcare,” he said, reflecting the aspirations of many.
Gajendra Verma, an electrician from Sitapur, previously worked in Dubai for a meagre Rs 45,000 per month, which barely covered his expenses. “In India, skilled workers live hand-to-mouth and have no savings for their family’s future. After returning from Dubai, I decided not to stay here anymore. A job in Israel is my only chance to secure my family’s future,” Verma said, urging the government to guarantee their safety.
For Ashwani Yadav, a welder from Sant Kabir Nagar, repaying debts is the primary motivator for applying to work in Israel. “It’s humiliating to live with unpaid loans. I’ve applied through the UP government’s Sangam Rozgar portal, hoping to earn enough to pay off my debts. But both the Indian and Israeli governments must ensure our security in such a sensitive and risky environment,” he said.
Similarly, Vijay Kumar Goswami, a furniture maker earning Rs 24,000 a month, wants to work in Israel to fund his sister’s marriage and pay for his family’s medical needs. “I am afraid of going to a war-torn country, but I have no other option to improve my family’s situation,” he admitted.
While some of the workers are encouraged by relatives working in Israel, others face resistance from their families. Neeraj Kumar Kushwaha from Deoria shared how his parents are against his decision to work in Israel due to safety concerns. “They fear for my life, but with my current salary of Rs 25,000, economic hardships will never end. The opportunity to earn Rs 1.37 lakh a month is too significant to pass up,” Kushwaha explained.
The recruitment drive, organised by Israel’s Population, Immigration, and Border Authority (PIBA) in collaboration with India’s National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), began on November 26 and will conclude on December 3. The Uttar Pradesh government promoted the drive through its Rozgar Sangam portal, allowing 650 candidates to participate daily.
As of November 28, 2,437 workers from across Uttar Pradesh had taken part in the recruitment process, with 1,069 successfully selected for jobs in Israel. Kapil Dev Agarwal, the state’s minister of vocational education, skill development, and entrepreneurship, visited the ITI campus and praised the initiative. “This drive will boost the careers of Indian laborers and expand global job opportunities for them,” he said.
Raj Kumar Yadav, principal of ITI Lucknow, said that Israel is recruiting labourers in various roles, including framework carpenters, iron benders, ceramic tilers, and plasterers. “The collaboration between PIBA and NSDC is aimed at ensuring a streamlined process for Indian workers to secure jobs in Israel,” Yadav noted.
Despite the enthusiasm among these workers, concerns about safety remain unresolved. When The Wire reached out to the Israeli delegation conducting the recruitment drive, they declined to comment. “We are not allowed to speak with the media,” said one delegation member.
Individuals seeking employment like Verma and Ashwani Yadav have called on both the governments to prioritise their security. “If the government is sending us there, they must take responsibility for our safety and bring us back if the conflict escalates,” Verma stated.
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The recruitment drive unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, which escalated in October 2023 following a surprise attack by resistance group of Palestine Hamas. The conflict has led to widespread destruction in Gaza and southern Israel, claiming thousands of lives and displacing countless civilians.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza aim to dismantle Hamas, but the war has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food, water, and medical supplies in Gaza. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, both sides remain locked in intense hostilities.
While the Indian government has advised its citizens in Israel to exercise caution, individuals from Uttar Pradesh continue to line up for jobs, placing their faith in the promise of better wages and a brighter future. For these workers, economic desperation leaves them with few choices, even if it means stepping into a war zone.