Israel is focused on ending the war and is working with “hundreds of lawyers” to adhere to international humanitarian law, according to Reuven Azar (57) in his first exclusive interview with The Indian Express at the Israeli embassy.
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar praised India as a key partner in building infrastructure and said it’s up to India to decide how much it wants to help resolve the Gaza conflict.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Azar said, “We plan to build a 100-km metro system in the Tel Aviv area and want to attract international companies that offer both good quality and low prices. India is a strong partner since it’s also working on big infrastructure projects like metros, roads, airports, and ports.”
This is the first time Israel has asked India for help with construction, especially after banning Palestinian workers following a Hamas attack last October.
Azar addressed concerns about skill mismatches among Indian workers in Israel, acknowledging that there have been issues but saying both governments are working to fix them.
On India’s role in the Gaza conflict, Azar said, “It’s up to India to decide how involved they want to be. India’s role in West Asia is growing, and they can help bring stability and prosperity to the region. Investments like the Adani project in Haifa and agreements with the UAE are steps toward creating stability.”
Azar also emphasized Israel’s desire to end the war and appreciated India’s support. He noted that both countries share a common goal of resolving the conflict.
He talked about other areas where Israel and India cooperate, including defense, security, agriculture, water, and innovation. He also highlighted the importance of working together on semiconductors and cybersecurity.
Regarding the Indian workers scheme, Azar admitted there were initial problems but said both countries are working to improve it. The Indian Express had reported that some workers had skills mismatches due to an over-promising assessment process. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal later called these issues “teething problems” that have been resolved, with most Israeli companies and workers now satisfied.
Azar, who started his role in New Delhi on September 6, gave this interview at the Israeli embassy.