RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-410
ANSWERED ON- 28/11/2024
CONDITION OF INDIAN CITIZENS IN ISRAEL
410. SHRI P. P. SUNEER
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of Indian workers in Israel across occupation, including the number of Indian workers sent to Israel after the beginning of Israel-Hamas conflict on 7 October, 2023;
(b) whether Indian workers in Israel have protection of labour rights through the Central Government;
(c) the number and details of Indian citizens killed or injured in Israel-Palestine since 7 October, 2023, including details of perpetrators and the action taken by the Central Government against them; and
(d) whether the Central Government has provided any compensation to the families of those killed or injured?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) As of October 2024, there are around 32,000 Indian workers in Israel, out of whom approximately 12,000 Indians arrived in Israel after October 2023, both under the G2G route and through private channels.
As per the Framework Agreement and Implementation Protocols signed with Israel, Indian workers shall enjoy equal treatment with respect to labour rights as Israeli citizens and shall be provided with proper lodging, medical insurance, and relevant social security coverage.
During the ongoing conflict, two Indian nationals have lost their lives - one Indian national in an attack from Lebanon in March 2024 and another Indian national in Gaza in May 2024. In addition, three Indian nationals were injured, one in rocket fire from Gaza on 7 October 2023 and two more in an attack from Lebanon in March 2024.
Government accords the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad, including Indian workers. Our Embassy in Israel coordinates with Israeli authorities for safety and security of Indian nationals in Israel and to ensure proper medical treatment to the injured and compensation for victims.