According to the Indian Embassy situated in Tel Aviv, there are approximately 18,000 Indian citizens residing in Israel, comprising primarily caregivers engaged in caring for elderly Israelis. Additionally, there is a diverse spectrum of Indian nationals living in Israel, including diamond traders, IT professionals, and students.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled 'Operation Ajay' on Wednesday with the aim of repatriating Indian nationals stranded in war-torn Israel. In a tweet, he conveyed that "special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place" to facilitate this mission.
Among the Indian community in Israel, caregivers represent a significant segment, numbering around 14,000 individuals. These caregivers have been drawn to Israel due to the combination of attractive salaries and benefits such as free accommodations, meals, and healthcare, which they receive while tending to elderly Israelis.
Moreover, Israel has drawn approximately 1,000 Indian students pursuing various levels of education in a variety of educational institutions and universities. Many of these students are actively engaged in doctoral and post-doctoral studies.
Israel is also home to a sizable community of Indian Jews, with around 85,000 Jewish individuals of Indian origin residing in the country. This community has roots in various regions of India, with the majority hailing from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis). Smaller contingents come from Kerala (Cochini Jews), Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews), and more recently, Mizoram and Manipur (Bnei Menache) have also been immigrating to Israel.
The Indian Embassy actively supports the National Convention of Indian Jews in Israel, an annual gathering that brings together around 5,000 attendees from all four groups of Indian-origin Jews in the country. These conventions have been hosted in various Israeli cities in recent years.
Prime Minister Modi addressed an audience of approximately 8,000 People of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Indian nationals during his visit to Tel Aviv in July 2017. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also engaged with the Indian-origin community during his visit to Israel in October 2021.
The Indian IT industry has a noteworthy presence in Israel through collaborations and research and development activities. Major IT companies like Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have established a foothold in the country, contributing to its technological landscape. TCS, in particular, was the first Indian IT firm to operate in Israel, commencing its presence in 2005. With a substantial workforce of around 250 employees, primarily locals, TCS is engaged in several prominent projects, including those with government involvement.
Furthermore, HCL Tech maintains two offices in Herzliya and Netanya in Israel, solidifying its presence in the Middle East. The Indian IT industry's engagement in Israel has bolstered technological exchanges between the two countries.
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