Indians in Israel remember 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, demand action against masterminds

Eilat (Israel), November 26

Indians in Israel commemorated the victims of senseless killings by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, demanding swift justice by punishing the masterminds of the 2008 carnage and seeking coordinated efforts to tackle the menace of terrorism.

On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the deadly attack on Thursday, Indian students at all the leading institutions in Israel, members of the Indian Jewish community, and Indians living and working in Israel organised separate events across the country, paid respects to the innocent victims of the terror attack, including six Jews who died at the Chabad House.

"The terrible attack on the Chabad House reflected the deep-seated anti-semitism of the perpetrators and their state handlers. The various events by the community to remember the victims are an expression of its yearning for justice to be meted out," India's ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla said in a statement on Friday.

The 26/11 attack by 10 heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed 166 people and injured more than 300.

The terrorists launched coordinated shooting and bombing attacks at several landmarks in Mumbai, including the Chabad House at Nariman point where six Jews were killed in the attack.

Isaac Solomon, 84, an Indian Jewish community leader in the southern coastal city of Eilat, at an event organised at the club Sitar told the gathering that both India and Israel had been at the receiving end of terror even though both the countries seek peace with their neighbours, as well as internationally.

"The terrorists do not really have a real objective. They have only one goal – to harm people. India and Israel are democracies that seek peace and will continue to raise their voice against the menace of terrorism anywhere in the world,” Solomon said.

Eilat Deputy Mayor Stas Bilkin also participated in the event in solidarity with the victims of the attacks.

Jewish outreach movement, Chabad, last year unveiled a plaque in the city in memory of the six Jewish victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

"To the memory and rise of souls of Rabbi Gavriel Noah and Rivka Holtsberg, who were martyred during the time of their holy mission in a terror attack at Chabad House in Mumbai, India from which the message of Torah was being spread all over the area. And for the four guests who stayed in Chabad house at the time of the attack, and were also martyred: Rabbi Gavriel Taitelbaum, Norma Rabinovich, Rabbi Ben Zion Kurman, Yocheved Orpaz. May their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life," the plaque in Hebrew reads.

Ceremonies were also held at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University and Technion in Haifa with a large number of Indian students turning up to participate while observing Covid norms.

"It is a shame that the real masterminds of the attack roam around freely while the families of the victims await justice. All peace-seeking nations must unite in their resolve to defeat terror and their state sponsors. The 26/11 is a shared pain between India and Israel and we must do everything to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Ankit Chauhan, a researcher at Ben-Gurion University.

"On this day, we remember the tragic loss of human life during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Through the candles we light in this vigil, we pay homage to all the innocent souls that were victims of blind rage and terror," Trivikram Muralidharan, a PhD student in the department of industrial engineering and management at Ben-Gurion University, told PTI.

"The candles that we lit today also symbolise the everlasting hope in humanity that each of us shares for working together towards a future that is safer and harmonious for the generations to come," Muralidharan said.

Some of the participants also recounted the valiant efforts of the Indian soldiers in dealing with the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008.

"Remembering the heroes who gave up their lives for our safety on this day, 13 years ago. I salute their spirit and bravery. Let's never forget their sacrifice. We will forever be indebted to our bravehearts for their supreme sacrifice,” said Ajay Wagh, a postdoctoral fellow at the Technion in the northern coastal city of Haifa. PTI

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