Indian expats in Israel uphold care amid conflict  Premium

Hundreds of people from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have found a second home in war-torn Israel, where they work as caregivers, extending support to elderly residents round the clock. This is a story about those who have found a sense of belonging in the country, with their dedication deeply valued  

“Anna (brother), I am rushing to a shelter; the siren has started blaring,” says Elle Prasad, 46, over the phone, raising his voice to make himself heard over the din in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon bordering the Gaza Strip, where fresh armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by the Hamas is underway. 

As he scurries to a bomb shelter, the blaring siren can be heard in the distance. He continues to narrate the live situation unfolding in trouble-torn West Asia. With the conflict raging on, residents find themselves caught in the crossfire, with hundreds killed or maimed.

For caregivers, hailing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, who made Israel their home, the ongoing turmoil has not only disrupted their lives but has also heightened the concerns for their families back home. 

Prasad recalls travelling to Tel Aviv, a 45-minute drive from Ashkelon, to meet a group of expatriates on October 6. “I had taken permission from my employer to attend the meet-up. I heard sirens continuously wailing while preparing to return to Ashkelon the next day. There were announcements over the public address system while the television flashed the news of surprise attacks by Hamas terrorists,” he shares. 

The first thing he did was to try and contact his elderly employer, a hearing-impaired man he provides care for. “He was all alone at home, and I could not get in touch with him. As I started to make the trip back, I could see thick plumes of smoke in the sky. So, I avoided the highway and took a city route to reach his house. I was relieved to see him safe, watching television,” recounts Prasad, who communicates in English now and has also picked up a few words of Hebrew. 

Worry about war 

Scores of Indians like him, despite limited education, have built a reputation as diligent workers, making them sought-after in the caregiving sector in Israel, next only to Sri Lankans, Nepalis, and Filipinos. Their visas are issued based on an undertaking by their employer, who sponsors them. These personal attendants, mostly men, live with the elderly who are sick or injured, taking care of their daily needs like feeding, bathing and walking with them. They get a day off every week and earn anything from ₹1.25 to 1.5 lakh a month, with additional benefits.