India has sent 20,000 workers to Israel to replace Palestinians since Gaza war began

 

The transfer of workers underscores the extent to which New Delhi continues to help sustain Israel's economy despite the state's growing isolation

More than 20,000 Indian workers have moved to Israel to replace Palestinian workers since the war on Gaza began, the Indian government has revealed.

Responding to a question posed by a lawmaker in parliament last week, Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs, said that between November 2023 and July 2025, at least 20,000 workers had made their way to Israel.

Singh noted that 6,730 construction workers and 44 caregivers had arrived under the bilateral framework agreement signed between the two countries in November 2023.

Additionally, 7,000 others in the caregiving sector and 6,400 construction workers arrived through what he described as "private channels".

The disclosure last Thursday is the most comprehensive and detailed account of the transfer of Indian workers to Israel and underscores how New Delhi continues to play a pivotal role in helping Israel sustain its economy, even as it faces growing calls for isolation in the international arena over its continued war in Gaza.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, including more than 18,430 children and has been recognised by several countries, as well as leading rights groups and experts, as an act of genocide.

Hundreds of thousands of others have been injured, and the entire population of Gaza is now facing famine as Israel continues to impose conditions leading to starvation across the besieged territory.  (more...)

India has sent 20,000 workers to Israel to replace Palestinians since Gaza war began