As I stepped into the golden hues of Jerusalem’s storied stones, the saffron threads of my Indian shawl felt like a bridge between two ancient cultures. The inaugural solidarity mission of the Israel India Friendship Club was more than just a trip; it was a beauty woven with empathy, resilience, and shared historical destiny. Organized by Stand With Us and Israel Is, our group of distinguished delegates from the Hindu communities of the UK and India came together, embodying unity and mutual respect.
Dan, the co-founder of IIFC and the organizer of this mission, shared a sentiment that resonated deeply with me: “Even though we are thousands of miles apart, the history of Hindus and Jews is remarkably similar. We are both ancient, indigenous, peaceful, and non-proselytizing peoples who have significantly advanced humanity. Both of us faced colonization by Islamic empires, which desecrated our holy sites and attempted to forcibly convert us, and later by the British, who partitioned our lands, leaving a legacy of conflict and Islamist terrorism.
Our histories are inspiring tales of indigenous liberation and decolonization, as we both regained sovereignty and freedom in our ancestral homelands. This indomitable spirit, along with our shared values and threats, unites us as natural allies. Jews and Israelis see India as the greatest hope for the future.
” Our journey began with a poignant visit to Kibbutz Be’eri. Walking through the kibbutz, the echoes of October 7th were palpable. The survivors’ stories, especially Nili Bar Sinai’s harrowing tale of loss and survival, struck a deep chord within me.
Seeing the scorched walls of homes and feeling the lingering sorrow for those murdered and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists was a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the indomitable spirit required to rebuild it. Amidst the ashes, the seeds of cross-cultural empathy were sown, nurtured by shared experiences of historical displacements and contemporary threats. In Sderot, the resilience of a community under siege was tangible.
I was moved by the heroic tales of the local police force, standing as the bulwark against chaos. At the Sderot Visitor’s Center, the ‘Survived to Tell’ virtual reality experience brought the harrowing experiences of the Nova Festival Massacre’s survivors to life. Each story, each testimony, added layers to my understanding of Israeli resolve—not just to survive but to thrive against all odds.
One moment that left me awestruck was visiting a secret Iron Dome base. Here, I met a 25-year-old commander who led 120 men and women, protecting the Gaza envelope region. His cool, calm demeanor and quiet resolve to defend his people were inspiring.
The theme of young heroes continued as we attended an appreciation party for Brigade 82, a tank brigade that had recently rescued four Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity. The second day of our mission was a masterclass in resilience and innovation. We began by witnessing a 47-minute film detailing Hamas atrocities.
It was crucial to understand the barbaric threats Israelis face, but the trip was about hope and the courage of the Israeli people. This spirit was vibrantly alive in Tel Aviv’s Shuk Hacarmel, where the joyful, diverse tapestry of Israeli life pulsated through every stall and alleyway. We visited the Hostage Forum, established to advocate for the release of hostages in Gaza and support their families.
Meeting 17-year-old former hostage Ofir Engel, who relived his ordeal so the world could witness Hamas’s evil, was profoundly moving. The courage of survivors and the unity of the Israeli people since October 7th were testaments to Israel’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes of terror. Our visit to the Start-Up Nation Center highlighted how innovation and diversity fuel Israel’s dynamic spirit.
Conversations with Indian Jewish influencers like India Naftali underscored the potential for collaboration. The spiritual and historical confluence of our trip peaked on the third day at the Stand With Us visitor center in Jerusalem. Michael Dickson’s eloquent recounting of Jewish history laid bare the soul of Israel.
His optimism about the alliance between our communities was uplifting: “Indians and Israelis have a mutual love and respect for each other’s cultures and face similar threats. It was wonderful to host this influential group showing solidarity. We are eternal allies, stronger together.
” Our pilgrimage through the ancient corridors of the City of David, culminating in a collective prayer at the Kotel, connected us with a 3,500-year-old legacy. Seeing the mosques built on top of the Jewish Temple Mount reminded me of Ayodhya, Hinduism’s holiest site. Over these three days, more than just cultures were exchanged; an indelible bond was forged between two ancient peoples with profound narratives of survival and resilience.
The solidarity expressed through simple gestures, like the tribal shawl presented to Nili or the applause at Brigade 82’s event, echoed an unspoken promise of unwavering support between the Hindu and Jewish communities. This mission, enriched by the generous spirit of its patrons, laid the groundwork for future collaborative endeavors, promising to elevate discussions on educational reforms, public policy, and sustainability. As I listened to the soul-stirring strains of ‘Hatikvah’ in Jerusalem’s twilight, I realized this was not an end but a beginning.
A journey together, hand in hand, with history as our witness and the future as our shared canvas..
