‘Israelis’ assault Indians in racist attack planned via WhatsApp
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'Israeli' Embassy in India has confirmed that local police have arrested several individuals in connection with a violent, "racially motivated" assault on two Indian workers in the southern city of Ashkelon.
The incident, which gained international attention after footage was aired by the 'Israeli' public broadcaster Kan on Feb. 16, has ignited controversy just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in 'Israel' for a high-profile state visit.
An Ambush Coordinated via WhatsApp
The broadcasted CCTV footage shows the attack in a public park in Ashkelon, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. Two Indian men are seen walking along a footpath when they are stalked by a group of individuals wearing hooded jackets. The assailants eventually surround the men, restraining one while others deliver a series of violent punches and kicks.
According to Kan, the attack was not a random act of street violence. Private WhatsApp messages recovered by investigators suggest the ambush was premeditated, with the group specifically targeting the Indian workers out of "racism and malice."
Racism Between Allies?
In a statement released on Thursday, the 'Israeli' Embassy in India condemned the assault as "absolutely unacceptable," confirming that the perpetrators had been caught.
However, the incident has provided fresh ammunition for critics of the Indian government’s policies.
The assault highlights a stark paradox: while New Delhi has positioned itself as one of 'Israel's' most steadfast strategic allies- even opting out of broad international condemnations of West Bank expansion - Indian nationals on the ground are increasingly finding themselves targets of the very xenophobia they were recruited to mitigate.
By filling the labor void left after the suspension of work permits for thousands of Palestinian workers after October 7, these Indian laborers have become essential to the 'Israeli' economy, yet the "premeditated" nature of the Ashkelon ambush reveals a deep-seated domestic hostility that diplomatic handshakes have failed to address.
The fact that the attack was coordinated via WhatsApp and driven by what local broadcasters called "racism and malice", suggests that despite the "civilizational bond" touted by leadership in both capitals, the human cost of this alliance is being paid by workers who face organized violence in the streets of the country they were sent to support.
The Road to the Summit
The timing of the assault is particularly delicate. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the Knesset during his visit on February 25–26, a trip aimed at solidifying a $10 billion defense partnership and advancing a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
While the "strategic partnership" remains strong, the Ashkelon attack has forced a difficult conversation about the human cost of this migration and the protections afforded to the thousands of Indian nationals now forming the backbone of 'Israel’s' labor force.
