Union Minister Muraleedharan urges Indians in Israel to stay safe, contact Indian Embassy if needed

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan on October 8 urged the Indians stranded in Israel, which is at war with the Palestinian group Hamas, to stay safe and to contact the Indian embassy there if they require any assistance.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Mr. Muraleedharan said the Indian embassy has already issued an advisory to Indians there to stay safe.

Also read: India stands ‘in solidarity with Israel’ after attacks, says PM Modi

“Indians in Israel can approach the Indian Embassy anytime. The embassy will extend all sorts of assistance to Indians stranded there,” he said.

Asked about India’s stand on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas outfit, Mr. Muraleedharan said the Prime Minister had made it clear and expressed shock over the ‘terror attack’ on Israel.

“We express solidarity with the people of Israel,” the Union Minister said.

Also read: Air India cancels Tel Aviv flight after Hamas attack on Israel

Hamas launched a wave of rocket attacks on October 7, killing over 200 people in Israel in the biggest escalation in decades. Israel has responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing more than 230 people, according to media reports.

The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv and the Representative Office of India in Palestine on October 7 issued advisories asking Indian nationals in respective countries to “remain vigilant” and “directly contact the Office” in case of emergency.

According to the details on the website of the Indian Embassy in Kochi, there are about 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, primarily caregivers employed by Israeli elders, diamond traders, IT professionals and students.