Indians are lining up for employment opportunities in Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, numerous unemployed individuals from India are converging at recruitment centers to apply for construction jobs in Israel. Israeli officials, currently in India, are recruiting workers for their country’s construction sector, facing a severe labor shortage due to the restriction of tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from entering Israel during the war. Special recruitment centers have been established in the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, attracting applicants from Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Despite the awareness of the ongoing conflict, job seekers are drawn by the lucrative salaries offered, with successful applicants like Ravi expressing satisfaction at the opportunity. The recruitment drive, initiated on January 23, aims to fill 5,000 positions, focusing on skill tests in areas such as plastering, bar bending, carpentry, and masonry. The interest in working in Israel during the conflict underscores India’s escalating unemployment crisis, with the nation grappling to generate sufficient employment for its vast population. The drive is part of an agreement signed between Israel and India to allow over 40,000 Indians to work in nursing and construction sectors. Similar recruitment efforts are planned in China, Sri Lanka, and Moldova. However, the Indian government’s collaboration with Israel has faced criticism from some organizations, citing concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions urged the government to reconsider the arrangement due to Israel’s conflict-ridden status and its impact on Palestinian workers.