According to a video report published by Israel’s public broadcaster (KAN) on February 16, the attack on two Indian workers in Ashkelon was coordinated through WhatsApp messages. Video shows at least two men being attacked by a group of attackers in what appears to be a park. Hebrew subtitles described the incident as a “premeditated” ambush driven by “racism and malice.”KAN’s report said the attackers planned the attack through private messages and then targeted nearby Indian workers, beating them in broad daylight. “Driven by racism and spite, a group of thugs from the south of the country orchestrated an attack that targeted nearby Indian workers and violently beat them in the center of the park,” the broadcaster said.Following the report, the Israeli Embassy in India condemned the attack as “absolutely unacceptable”. In a post on X, the embassy confirmed that the perpetrators had been captured, adding: “The Israeli police have captured the perpetrators and brought them to justice.”Congress leader Pawan Khera described the attack as a “premeditated racist attack” and urged External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to verify the status of the victims and ensure adequate free medical care if needed.Ashkelon, a city in southern Israel close to the Gaza Strip, has recently seen an increase in the number of Indian workers after Israel suspended the work permits of thousands of Palestinians following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. India has launched a recruitment drive to fill the resulting labor shortage, especially in the construction and hospitality sectors.The attack comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel from February 25, during which issues such as bilateral cooperation, labor mobility and regional development are expected to be discussed.
