It's been over a month since Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico, but the hardships facing the residents are far from over. Today, 85 percent of the island remains without electricity, telecommunications are cut, basic goods are scarce, and the economy is plummeting. Amid the devastation, the Jewish community has emerged as a bastion of support. With a little more than 1,500 members in a general population of 3.4 million, this small but active community has mobilized its own resources and those of Jewish organizations in the United States to help their neighbors in need.
For over a quarter-century, AJC’s Asia Pacific Institute (API) has promoted Israeli and American ties with India. These relationships, as well as the trilateral India-Israel-U.S. nexus, benefit all the countries and communities involved.
Two ancient civilisations, two post-colonial states, two democracies, two centres of culture and faith, two nations with vibrant global diasporas: it was only natural that India and Israel would forge not only diplomatic relations, but a unique and enduring partnership.
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.