Indo-Israel: News and Discussion

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 11 Jul 2011 09:16

Cleaned away

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 31 Jul 2011 20:20

Israelis will ‘give up’ on Egyptian gas, expert says

After gunmen attacked the Egyptian gas pipeline in the northern Sinai on Saturday – the fifth such attack in the past six months – an Israeli energy expert said he believes that Israeli officials and the country’s major gas consumers have all but “given up” on that source of natural gas.

Ambar · Post by **Ambar** » 18 Aug 2011 18:21

Serial attacks in Israel near Eilat - 6 dead,26 injured.

At least 6 dead, dozens hurt in terror attacks near Eilat

IDF soldiers among casualties; number of bombs go off near IDF patrol along border with Egypt; At least 25 reported hurt as terrorists attack bus, private vehicle; PMO spokesperson: 3 terrorists killed.
Talkbacks (3)

At least five people were reported dead and at least 25 injured in a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt on Thursday, which began when terrorists opened fire at an Egged bus traveling on Road 12 near Eilat.

The casualties were evacuated to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. A number of soldiers were among the casualties.

Several minutes later, a number of bombs went off next to an IDF patrol traveling along the border with Egypt. There were also reports of mortar fire from Egypt into Israel. The terrorists apparently then moved on to another spot and fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle, injuring a number of passengers.

Magen David Adom said that terrorists attacked a bus and a private vehicle 20 kilometers north of the site of the first incident. Paramedics said five people there were mortally wounded in that attack.

PMO spokesperson Ofir Gendelman announced on Twitter that three of the terrorists involved in the attack were killed by special forces.

“This seems like a coordinated attack,” a senior IDF officer said. There was also speculation that there may have been more than one terror cell coordinating the attacks.

Commander of the IDF’s Edom Division Brig.-Gen. Tamir Yidayi arrived at the scene of the bus attack and set up a command post to coordinate efforts to capture the perpetrators. The IDF suspects that the terrorists infiltrated into Israel after crossing into Egypt possible from the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday, the Egyptian Military launched a massive operation to capture terrorist cells operating in the Sinai.

Due to concern that terrorists had infiltrated into Israel from Egypt, security officers in Israeli communities along the border were ordered to raise the level of alert and to tell residents to remain inside their home.

Ambar · Post by **Ambar** » 19 Aug 2011 06:10

Israel retaliates : Kills the chief of PRC - Kamal al-Nairab, his deputy, Immad Hammad, and three other senior members.

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas security installations in Gaza on Friday, killing at least one Palestinian, in further retaliation for attacks along the Egyptian border in which eight Israelis died.

Gaza residents said three compounds controlled by the Hamas Islamist group that rules the enclave were hit in the overnight raids. Medical officials said a 13-year-old boy in a nearby building was killed and 17 people were wounded. There was no immediate word on casualties among militants.
Hours later, Israel struck in the Gaza Strip against the Popular Resistance Committees, an armed faction that often operates independently of Hamas. The Israeli military said the PRC was behind the border attacks.

Ananya · Post by **Ananya** » 18 Sep 2011 06:33

India to back Palestinian bid for U.N. membership

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a ... epage=true

not sure if this would throw a spanner in Indo Israel relationship. experts pls comment

Haresh · Post by **Haresh** » 25 Oct 2011 20:51

India and Israel: a friendship deepened by prejudice

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... ice-muslim

More idiocy from the al guardian

tejas · Post by **tejas** » 25 Oct 2011 23:14

^^^^ If approx. 1000 Muslims killed in riots in Gujarat is a "pogrom" what is 90,000,000 Hindus butchered by Muslims for not converting called? With $hitheads like that who needs enemies to destroy India. What is the use of writing back to a mental pygmy like him ? When 10,000+ temples are destroyed by Muslim invaders not a word is uttered. One mosque which was built to show dhimmi Hindus who's the boss it torn down and it's a tragedy? Excuse me while I go vomit.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 13 Jan 2012 23:59

Krishna's visit to Israel marks new high in ties.

External affairs minister SM Krishna's two-day visit to Israel marked a "new high" in bilateral ties when Israeli leaders bent standard procedures to extend gestures reserved for the closest of partners.

Many special measures were taken by the host country to make "the important guest feel the warmth in the relationship felt by Israelis", which included massive changes in schedules at the highest levels to accord the kind of hospitality due to a "special friend", political sources here said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "went out of the way" to arrange a breakfast meeting with Krishna, the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit Tel Aviv in over a decade, spending close to two hours with him and "surprised everyone" by coming all the way to down to see him off when his car left the PMO.

Host foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman waited outside for several minutes to personally receive and accompany his Indian counterpart to his office.

On top of all that the Israeli President reserved the most flattering of comments for India dubbing it the "greatest democracy on earth", and even backed its permanent membership in an extended UN Security Council, which may not necessarily be the official position of his country given "India's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause".

"For us India is first of all a culture. Then it is for us the greatest democracy on earth and then the unbelievable achievement of overcoming poverty without becoming poor in freedom," the Nobel laureate Israeli President said.

Expressing his admiration for India's founding father, Peres called Mahatma Gandhi a "prophet" and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru a "king"."India was fortunate that it had two great and unforgettable leaders - one was a prophet and the other one was a king. The combination of Gandhi and Nehru is the most unusual," he noted.

Israel's octogenarian statesman has consistently backed India's membership at UNSC emphasising it during meetings with every single Indian delegation he has met since taking oath.However, no visible display of any kind of disappointment at India's voting pattern at the UN could be seen during the two days of interaction between Krishna's delegation and Israeli leadership, something that political sources here described as "growing faith in each other as partners... and reaching new levels of maturity in relations".

This could be discerned also in responses by the two sides every time questions related to differences were raised.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 19 Jan 2012 06:11

India-Israel relations: US Jewry's contribution

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American Jewish advocacy groups have played a key role in both strengthening US support for the Indo-Israeli relationship, and pushing for India’s rapprochement with Israel. The involvement from the mid-1980s of American Jewry in lobbying the Indian government to normalize relations with Israel was a determining contribution. India had come to believe that the American Jewish lobby had a major influence on Washington and that improving relations with Israel would not only enhance India’s standing vis-à-vis American Jewry but also, in turn, help advance links with the US.

Since normalization, American Jewish organizations have continued to push for closer links between India and Israel, and for the recognition of overlapping interests between India, Israel and the US. Jewish lobbying played a role in obtaining the Bush administration’s approval for Israel’s sale to India of the Phalcon airborne warning system and, more recently, in convincing a rather skeptical Congress to sign the Indo-US nuclear deal that signified a substantial leap in the two countries’ relations.
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Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 30 Jan 2012 05:14

Today, Israel and India share an intimately close and special relationship encompassing virtually every field of human endeavor.

Israel and India celebrate today 20 years of diplomatic relations. In the background of these young and dynamic relations stand the ancient ties between the Jewish and Indian peoples, dating back over 2000 years. In the course of history, Jewish communities throughout India received the warmest hospitality and played an integral role in their surrounding societies

Today, Israel and India share an intimately close and special relationship encompassing virtually every field of human endeavor. From trade to education, from agriculture to science and technology, from energy and water to homeland security - Israel and India today work together in a vast variety of fields, some of which are no less than existential to them both.

At the core of these multifaceted relations lie the values, the interests and the challenges that Israel and India share. Both countries are open and free democracies that embrace modernity and progress whilst preserving their ancient heritage and history. Both countries strive to achieve stability, human development and economic growth for the well-being of all their citizens. Both countries also face a large number of threats and difficulties ranging from the scourge of terrorism to water and energy scarcity. It is these commonalities that make the connection and collaboration between Israel and India so natural and fertile.

The remarkable development of bilateral trade in the past 20 years is an unequivocal example of the vector of Indo-Israel ties. In 1992, the annual trade between Israel and India stood at a mere $180 million. By 2011, the annual civilian trade between the two countries, diversified and well balanced, had expanded almost thirty fold to surpass $5 billion. Both countries have expressed their intention to finalize a Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year, a development which is expected to further invigorate and diversify bilateral trade.

One of the key pillars of the relationship is the cooperation in the field of agriculture. Food security is more than ever a critical concern for both countries. In cooperation projects across India, Israeli technology and knowhow is being demonstrated and shared with Indian farmers, and joint Indian and Israeli agricultural R&D is conducted on the ground. The recently finalized three-year action plan sets the path for the establishment of 27 projects across 7 States in India in various fields. This cooperation will no doubt benefit the Indian farmer and consumer and is already playing a significant role in India’s efforts to ensure food security to all its citizens.

Both Israel and India have excelled in the research and development of science and technology. At present, new platforms are being created for both government and private sectors to jointly enhance scientific innovation in crucial fields such as clean-tech and life sciences.

Unfortunately, Israel and India both suffer from the scourge of terrorism. Both societies have shown remarkable resilience and determination to ensure that life and freedom will prevail. The horrendous attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, in which Indians and Israelis alike were targeted, only strengthened the bond between the two nations and the understanding that only through concerted efforts, can terrorism be defeated.

Last month, the Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr. SM Krishna, conducted a historical visit to Israel and met with the Israeli leadership in Jerusalem. During the visit, President Shimon Peres referred to India as "the greatest democracy on earth." Prime Minister Netanyahu said that "India and Israel are two ancient peoples seizing the future." Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman appreciated India's approval of the opening of an Israeli Consulate General in Bangalore, a preeminent hub of high tech in India. This will be Israel's third mission in India after New Delhi and Mumbai.

The 20th anniversary of relations between Israel and India will be marked throughout the year, in Israel and in India, with an elaborate array of cultural events. We stay committed to building upon the remarkable achievements of the last two decades, to further develop this promising relationship in the decades to come, for the benefit of both nations.

Israel and India celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations 29-Jan-2012

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 01 Feb 2012 11:17

India-Israel to hold another round of talks on FTA - BusinessLine

India and Israel will hold another round of negotiations by the end of March on signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to achieve a bilateral trade figure of $10-15 billion per year.

The two countries had decided on the FTA during the recent visit of the External Affairs Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, to Tel Aviv.

“There is another round of negotiations towards the end of March and I hope both sides will do their best and by the end of this year we will sign the (FTA) agreement,” Israeli Ambassador to India, Mr Alon Ushpiz, told PTI.

Speaking on the occasion of 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mr Ushpiz said the agreement will lay the foundation for the two countries to achieve the mark of $10-15 billion dollar trade per year.

“Once this is signed, we are going to climb from $5 billion year to $10-15 billion dollar a year. It was the target which was agreed upon during the visit of the External Affairs Minister, Mr Krishna,” he said.

He also said that his country would soon open a consulate in Bangalore to focus on activities such as homeland security and high-tech agriculture.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 03 Feb 2012 03:36

http://blog.american.com/2012/02/49329/
Is Israel about to attack Iran?

-Arun
Sharing information, not opinions

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 03 Feb 2012 03:57

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106621

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey told Israeli leaders Jan. 20 that the United States would not participate in a war against Iran begun by Israel without prior agreement from Washington, according to accounts from well-placed senior military officers.
...
...
But the Israeli government remains defiant about maintaining its freedom of action to make war on Iran, and it is counting on the influence of right-wing extremist views in U.S. politics to bring pressure to bear on Obama to fall into line with a possible Israeli attack during the election campaign this fall.

-Arun
Sharing information, not opinion

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 13 Feb 2012 17:21

Israel foreign ministry says bomb blast at its New Delhi embassy; no word on casualties: TOI

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 13 Feb 2012 17:34

Israeli diplomats car hit by explosion on aurangzeb road, Delhi - condition of diplomat unclear. Bomb dismantled under diplomat car in Georgia and in another country.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 13 Feb 2012 17:41

Wife of defense attache injured. Yesterday was death anniversary of Imad Mogniyah. Israeli diplomats instructed not to use cars until checked. Eye witness says a passing motor cycle stuck something to the car (shades of Iranian scientist assassination).

Another eye witness says the lady in the car was a diplomat. Unclear yet.

My initial comments: we knew that there was an Al Qods cell in India. I highlighted this a few years back.

I said this in August 2008

There is an Iranian/Hezbollah trained Al Qods(some sources call it a Hezbollah cell) cell in India. This cell is ready for action to target Israeli/western interests as part of Imad Mugniyeh's death anniversary. This info is coming from both CIA and Mossad.

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 13 Feb 2012 18:39

Our intelligence agencies must take responsibility for failing yet again!

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 13 Feb 2012 19:43

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a ... epage=true

According to initial investigations, two motorcycle borne youths tailed the Israeli Embassy vehicle on Aurangzeb Road in the high security zone, not far from Prime Minister’s residence, and allegedly placed “something” in the rear of the car when it stopped at a traffic signal.
Minutes later, there was an explosion and the Toyota innova bearing number 109-CD-35 went into flames. Three persons including Administrative Attache of the Embassy received injuries in the incident at 3.15 p.m. near a petrol station, located 500 metres from the 7, Race Course Road official residence of the Prime Minister.

The injured Israeli embassy attache was identified as Ms.Tal (42).She suffered splinter injuries and was admitted to a private hospital on Monday.
Doctors at the Primus Hospital treating 42-year-old Tal said she has been put in the ICU but did not give any details about her condition.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 13 Feb 2012 20:14

The name of the road in which the Israeli car seems very deliberate and well planned.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 13 Feb 2012 20:16

Yogi_G wrote:The name of the road in which the Israeli car seems very deliberate and well planned.

No in secular Delhi, around Chankyapuri such abound.

sunnydee · Post by **sunnydee** » 13 Feb 2012 20:21

Tit for tat...

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/ir ... ael_758264.

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 13 Feb 2012 20:34

Cant help, but sniff a false flag.
I mean why in India? why not in Egypt,SaudiA or some other dump which is unconnected to the current Indian support to Iran ( in its difficult times).
Is it to erode domestic support in India ?

If my speculation is deemed to be distasteful the mods may delete this.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 13 Feb 2012 20:47

Why distasteful? Anything is possible. But, it seems highly unlikely - given that Israeli diplomats were targeted. Iran has denied any role.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 13 Feb 2012 20:52

As per WaPo ...
Bombs target Israeli diplomats in India, Georgia; 2 injured

The attack in New Delhi bore eerie similarities to the Jan. 11 killing of Iranian nuclear chemist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, a 32-year-old deputy head of procurement at the Natanz enrichment facility. The scientist was killed in an explosion after an unknown assailant on a motorcycle slapped a magnetic bomb on his car as he commuted to work.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Feb 2012 21:10

a few days I had posted in internal security thread that kerala police had deported a couple of israelis who were staying there and holding meetings with other israelis from other parts of india late into the night. they were suspected to be mossad types on the trail of somethings in india.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 13 Feb 2012 21:16

^^ So India deported Mossad types who seemed to be upto no good. How are we going to countenance an (allegedly) Iranian strike on Israeli personnel?

By activating sleeper cells in India and targeting Israelis on Indian turf, Iran has raised the stakes on India's recent tilt towards themselves.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 13 Feb 2012 21:20

^^Quite the contrary, seems like a Paki op to me. The ISi has assets and surveillance and other capabilities within India. And they have enough non jeehard related reasons to want a shaky Indo-Israel relationship besides.

Also, its a nice flase-flag way of putting Indo-Iranian ties under strain too.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 13 Feb 2012 21:21

you took the words off my mouth. iran would be really stupid to do this in India.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 13 Feb 2012 21:28

Does this investigation come under the NIA, DP or NCTC? Anyway a good test of PC's credibility.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 13 Feb 2012 21:29

Hari Seldon,

You're right. It was probably done by interests who want to create a strain and reinforce an extreme dichotomy between Indo-Israel and Indo-Iranian ties.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 13 Feb 2012 21:31

That would be the Pakis!

Quo bono is a good question in absence of trails.

However the Georgian bombing has to be factored in.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 13 Feb 2012 21:39

One supposes that a neutral would say ,since the two of you are taking pot shots at each other,"a plague on both your houses",but in India's case it is sadly not so.First,one hope's that the victims will recover completely and speedily-one must be thanful for small mercies that there were no fatalities.

Both nations have a special relationship with India.In the case of Iran,it is an historic one,spanning millenia.In recent times,Shiite Iran is a key bulwark against Sunni Whabi Paki perfidy in the region,esp. in Afghanistan.It is also a key oil supplier to India,accounting for approx 15% of our imports of its "light crude",easy to refine.Sri Lanka has just raised the price of its petro products,as it is finding it difficult to source crude from Iran,its major supplier,adding to its financial burden and nationwide protests and strikes have erupted! Iran is too valuable a friend for India to lose-and we have told the US just that,while we are against any covert N-programme by it in violation of its international obligations.

Israel too is today a key friend of India.Historically,the Jewish diaspora in ancient times found refuge in India and there even existed a Jewish kingdom in India on the West Coast,apart from the well-known settlement of Jews in Cochin.Indo-Israeli relations and cooperation esp. in the security arena are extremely important,as both nations are victims of Islamist terrorism.Unfortunately,the Iranians and Israelis are today bitter enemies.Iran uses the Hiz in Lebanon as proxies against Israel,who use their own devices to hit back at the Iranians,esp. their nuclear ambitions,as Israel is paranoid about a nuclear armed Iran and the fear that it may provide a terroist outfit with a "briefcase bomb".The apparent tit-for-tat attacks are now spreading beyond the Levant and Gulf regions and it is only right that we condemn such an outrage perpetrated on Indian soil.Regardless of the situ in the Middle East
and in Israel/Palestine/Iran,etc.,the spread of the conflict onto Indian soil must be stopped in its tracks ruthlessly,otherwise even more nations who wish to settle scores with their "enemies",might view India as a soft state where outside players can make merry at our expense.

The test for our intel agencies is to quickly find out who the perpetratos are and bring them to book.It is quite possible that the mission was "outsourced" to an ISI entity,who would love to make mischief in India on such a sensitive issue.We must patiently wait for clinching evidence,evidence that the ISI was involved,or that one of its sleeper cells was activated,but the manner in which Paki terror groups in the past have been able to create mayhem,indicates that as far as the Delhi attack goes,they could have more than a finger in the paratha.Georgia could have similarly been outsourced to another like-minded entity.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 13 Feb 2012 21:52

False Flag Op?

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 13 Feb 2012 21:56

Although fingers do point at this being a Paki Op, let us not forget that Iran and Pakistan are both Shia dominated,and thus have a common agenda, and this has also been seen in the recent affairs between Paki FM Ms Hina,and the Iranian regime.Surely this is a Paki op with Iranian blessing from Ayatollah.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 13 Feb 2012 22:05

>> Iran and Pakistan are both Shia dominated

oh dear

Sriman · Post by **Sriman** » 13 Feb 2012 22:06

sanjeevpunj wrote:Although fingers do point at this being a Paki Op, let us not forget that Iran and Pakistan are both Shia dominated,and thus have a common agenda, and this has also been seen in the recent affairs between Paki FM Ms Hina,and the Iranian regime.Surely this is a Paki op with Iranian blessing from Ayatollah.

Say what? As it's been pointed out, the last thing Iran would want to do at this point of time is piss India off.

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 13 Feb 2012 22:08

Altair wrote:False Flag Op?

Think so. Looks more and more like a build up to garner more publicity for 'Iran issue' on the global stage. I wont rule out unkil/auntie involvement. The whole episode reminds me of 'Eyeraq WMD threat'.

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 13 Feb 2012 22:09

Well, someone does want India to be pissed off with Iran. The intention of this attack seems to be just that.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 13 Feb 2012 22:11

Iran at this juncture has no reason to do this in India - but the stream of reports coming over the last few years from western intel is that there have been active Hezb/Al Qods cells in India for the last few years. But at this juncture, it doesn't make sense for the Iranians to hit India.

Lets see where this goes. But we can't rule out Georgia, both timing and the way the attack was planned there. Other Israeli embassies are on high alert, lets see what turns up there.

sunnydee · Post by **sunnydee** » 13 Feb 2012 22:17

Carl wrote:^^ So India deported Mossad types who seemed to be upto no good. How are we going to countenance an (allegedly) Iranian strike on Israeli personnel?

By activating sleeper cells in India and targeting Israelis on Indian turf, Iran has raised the stakes on India's recent tilt towards themselves.

+1. They have used hezbollah which would be tougher to track( israeli reports so need to be verified indep). If it turns out mossad agents were deported inspite of knowing that they were on the trail of terrorist someone's head has to roll