Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, on Tuesday called for India and Israel to strengthen their national identities and cultural values, warning that “extreme Left and Marxist forces” could seek to undermine them.
Revach made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) annual Vijayadashami programme in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where he was invited as a guest.
He said India and Israel shared similar values and faced challenges comparable to those confronting European countries, where, he alleged, external forces were attempting to destabilise societies.
“We understand that both countries, India and Israel, we not only share the same values, but unfortunately share the same challenges,” Revach said.
Referring to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address, Revach said both countries needed to preserve their cultural heritage while preparing younger generations for the future.
Calls for Stronger India-Israel Ties
Revach described his attendance at the RSS event as a “very important and unique experience”. He also said he had held talks with Bhagwat on Monday.
He referred to Bhagwat’s emphasis on connecting young people with India’s roots, heritage, culture and history while adapting to technological changes.
“That is exactly the same thing that we do in Israel,” Revach said.
He called for closer cooperation between the two countries, extending beyond government relations to include greater engagement between their citizens.
“I think we should work together to see how we can actually strengthen the ties between Israel and India, not only at the government level but also (at the) people-to-people (level),” he said.
Revach also referred to Bhagwat’s remarks about protecting national identity and cultural values, arguing that both countries needed to remain alert to what he described as attempts to weaken them.
“Dr Mohanji also mentioned in his speech today something very important, that if we don’t protect our identity and our values, we see exactly what’s happening now in Europe when other external forces are trying to destabilise it, which we also see in India and Israel,” he said.
He added that both countries should strengthen their identities to prevent what he called “extreme Left and Marxist forces” from destabilising their values.
Israeli Consul General Praises Indian Pilot
Revach also referred to Bhagwat’s remarks about Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot who was seriously injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
According to Revach, Machchhar was raised in India and his values and morals helped him respond during the incident.
“Captain Smit grew up here in India, and the values and morals in India are one of the reasons that he saved so many people,” Revach said.
Machchhar reportedly opened the cockpit door despite being seriously injured, allowing passengers to overpower the attacker.
