Israel’s chequered journey since its independence in 1948 notwithstanding, there are very few countries that qualify to be such natural allies for India. And there are several reasons for it.
Turkey, Iran and Russia share three things in common: all are hostile to the United States, all are ruled by fiercely authoritarian leaders, and all are eager to expand their political, military, and economic influence in the Middle East. When they praise American policy, we should be concerned.
In India, Holocaust Studies is a most neglected subject. The Second World War itself is barely taught in schools, despite India having been deeply involved in many ways besides the contribution of 2.5 million volunteers to fight the war, in the sea, air and land.
This Shabbat, I will join some 200 Jews from Egypt, now living in Europe, Israel and the United States, to pray in the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, their childhood house of worship, in Alexandria.