Indian investments in Israel are absolutely safe; markets to rebound: Deputy envoy

Indian investments including in the Haifa port are absolutely safe and Israel’s markets will bounce back once the current war is over, according to country’s deputy envoy to India Ohad Nakash Kaynar.

“Israel has gone through this cycle of war and conflicts and its markets remain resilient. The currency will recover too. The Indian investment in the Haifa port is absolutely safe,” Kaynar told ET amid Israel’s operations to counter Hamas in the Gaza strip.

The almost 20,000 Indians in Israel, many of whom are caregivers, get the highest respect and support from the local populace, Kaynar pointed out. The Indian students are the single biggest student group from abroad in Israel and in future Israel is ready to welcome additional students, the senior diplomat informed.


Referring to the Israel Defence Force operations, Kaynar said that currently the operations are focused in Northern Gaza with the goal to eliminate Hamas. “The Hamas attack took Israel by surprise. Israelis are today damaged and wounded. But they will recover. We are conducting operations to target the terrorists.”

Israel is overwhelmed with the support that PM Narendra Modi extended to it within hours of the carnage. “We are receiving support from Indians across the country every day. Many want to join the IDF. But this is Israel’s war and we will fight it with our might and send a message to all in the region. Israel will fight the battle on its own feet so that a message is delivered among all.”

When asked about the reaction from the Arab world on the current crisis and operations the Israeli diplomat referred to compulsions of the local population in varying degrees. “We have strong support from the UAE and we have muted responses from some other Arab countries. Each has its own compulsions as far as their reaction is concerned. From the Western world besides the US, we have strong support from France which has banned all terror related protest groups.”