Israel to compensate killed Indian, look after her son

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 21

Israel will provide insurance benefits at par with its citizens to the Indian caregiver Soumya Santhosh, who lost her life in a rocket attack in Israel, as well as look after her nine-year-old son, Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission Rony Yedidia told journalists here on Friday. The same benefits will also be extended to two Thai caregivers who died in rocket attacks.

Although the Israelis took “her to their heart as one of their own”, she will not receive honorary citizenship, clarified Yedidia.

The Israeli deputy envoy sought to settle the social media controversy over Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu PM not including India among the 25 countries he thanked for their support. She pointed out that these nations had “come out with full-hearted statements supporting Israel’s right to defend its citizens and condemned the firing of rockets by Hamas”.’

India apparently failed to make the cut because its statement in UN organs had supported the Palestinian cause and a two-state solution besides condemning the rocket fire from Hamas.

“We are always in conversation with Indian friends. It’s been getting stronger over the years,” she said while mentioning that Tel Aviv had remained in touch with Indian officials through the 10-day crises.

The Israeli Deputy Envoy spoke on all three immediate aspects that had fuelled the violence in Gaza and said a small group of extremists were on “both sides” were responsible for the trouble.

On the protests against the eviction of tenants, she regretted that private legal dispute was used to inflame passions and attack Israel.