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Numbers and size doesn’t matter: Modi on Israel

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that when it comes to courage, size and number does not count.

“Numbers and size doesn’t matter, Israel has proven that,” Modi said.

“Israel is the land of martyrs. Many families here must have a personal story of sacrifices. They have personal tales of martyrdom. I bow to their valour,” Modi said.

Modi is scheduled to visit the city of Haifa today, on Thursday, to pay homage to the Haifa Indian Cemetery.

He also pointed out the role of Indian soldiers in liberation of Jerusalem and Haifa.

The Haifa Indian Cemetery is homage to Indian war heroes who laid down their lives in world wars during the liberation of Haifa.

“Jews are great people,” he said while recalling Indian Jew Army officer, Lieutenant General Jacob Farj Rafael, who played a prominent role in 1971 Indo-Pak war.

“I went to Benjamin’s (Netanyahu) house yesterday. He gifted me a picture of liberation of Jerusalem by the Indian soldiers,” Modi said.

Comparing Indian and Israeli culture, he said, “Our cooperation is of tradition, culture and mutual trust and friendship”.

“In our Puranas there’s a similarity, we celebrate Holi and Israel marks Purin. We celebrate Diwali and in Israel Hanukkah is celebrated,” he added.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the spiritual link between India and Israel. “It was the Indian Sufi saint Baba Fareedm, who meditated in Jerusalem in twelfth century,” he said.

 

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