Israelis pay respects to 26/11 Mumbai terror attack victims; hail friendship with India

12 years ago, on this day in 2008, a group of Pakistani terrorists who entered via sea route held to ransom city of Mumbai and killed over 160 people including foreigners. To pay respect to victims of dastardly 26/11 terror attacks, Israelis are holding ceremonies and demanding that perpetrators of massacre be brought to justice. y are also condemning "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism."

'Peaceful countries should come toger'

Israelis and Indian students and caregivers paid respects to victims in Jerusalem, Rehovot and Tel Aviv on Wednesday and ceremonies are planned in Beersheva and Eilat on Thursday, according to a PTI report. A virtual ceremony on Zoom is also planned for Thursday at 8 PM Israel time (11:30 PM IST). Hundreds have registered to take part in event.

"Israel opposes every country that provides financial and logistical support to terrorists. Peaceful countries should come toger to boycott diplomatically and financially those countries that support terrorism. This will help deter acts of terror," Isaac Solomon from sourn Israeli coastal city of Eilat said. "It is a matter of pride for us Israelis to have a peaceful country like India as our friend. We pray that our friendship continues to grow strong," octogenarian said.

Ten terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai. At least 166 people, including six Jews at Chab House and nine terrorists, were killed and over 300 ors were injured in attacks which began on vember 26, 2008. Israelis in Eilat have requested that a memorial square be built for victims of Mumbai attacks.

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'We have to take fight to ir soil'

Telangana Association of Israel organised an interfaith ceremony to pay respects to victims of 26/11. A Jewish Rabbi, a Hindu priest, a Christian pastor and a Sikh priest recited prayers in memory of those who were killed in attacks and for peace. "We believe in peace but shouldn't bow down to terror. Our policy of zero tolerance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a welcome change," association president Ravi Soma said.

Some 20 people from Telangana working in Israel gared in Ramat Gan, next to Tel Aviv, as per permission granted to m in view of coronavirus pandemic. y carried posters and lit candles to pay respects to victims of " most heius act of terror on Indian soil".

Students at prestigious Weizmann Institute in Rehovot also lit candles and held a silent protest to condemn "Pakistan-sponsored terror". "We have to learn from Israelis and pre-empt attempts by Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits. We have to take fight to ir soil," said an agitated doctoral fellow, Vivek Singh. Students at Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheva and local Israelis will be organising ceremonies on Thursday evening to mark 12th anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks.

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