Number Of Indian Migrants Increased In Israel

Indian Embassy in Israel will start conducting consular camps for the benefit of people migrating to Israel. The first of the consular camps will be organised in Tel Aviv, the country’s economic hub, on October 10.

There are now around 50,000 Indians living in Israel, who are involved in different services. Earlier, there had been around 15,000 Indian workers and professionals living in Israel.

Indians working in Israel are primarily caregivers for the elderly, construction workers, IT professionals, agricultural helpers, and diamond traders.

Following the recent government-to-government labour agreements, thousands of additional Indian construction workers, apart from women, are migrating to Israel. Once they reach Israel, they approach the Indian Embassy for authentication of their passport and consular services. The process had been taking a long time, creating hurdles for these migrants.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle from Tel Aviv, Israel Telangana Association (ITA) president Soma Ravi said special camps conducted by the Indian Embassy are benefitting the migrant Indians, as they help Indians settle in the country faster.

Soma Ravi said Indian migrants can approach embassy officials for passport verification and consular services even without an appointment. Verified passports will be essential for Indians currently in Israel, as general elections in that country are scheduled next month.

Israel has become home to around 85,000 Indian Jews who had opted to shift from India to Israel, which offers Jews anywhere in the world its citizenship. The groups that have shifted to Israel include the Bene Israel from Maharashtra, Cochin Jews from Kerala, Baghdadi Jews from Kolkata, and Bnei Menashe from Manipur and Mizoram.

The quality of life in Israel is much better than in India, though cost of living is high in Israel, which also faces security challenges. However, Israel offers a much higher pay to construction workers and caregivers, among others.