Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is paying an historic visit to Israel--the first by an Indian head of government since diplomatic ties between the two countries were established 25 years ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the two leaders would sign an agreement for a $40 million innovation fund. The visit is expected to boost economic and defense ties.
Modi fit in time for a personal visit to Moshe Holtzberg, the son of the Chabad emissaries Rabbi Gabriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who died in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. Moshe, who was 2 years old at the time, was rescued by his nanny, Sandra Samuels, and is now living with his grandparents, Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg. "I love you Mr Modi," said 11-year-old Moshe, adding that wants to become director of the Chabad House in Mumbai when he grows up. "We have not been forgotten...Indians share our pain,” said Rosenberg. Samuels, who moved to Israel with Moshe, is now an honorary Israeli citizen. Modi also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum. The Chabad House has been restored and reopened since the attack, but Moshe's abandoned and bullet-ridden room has been left intact. Here are photos from the visits we have made during our tours. |
AuthorRahel Musleah was born in Calcutta, India, the seventh generation of a Calcutta Jewish family that traces its roots to 17th-century Baghdad. Categories |