Malick Asghar Hashmi / New Delhi

Two Gujarati sisters have joined the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and one of them had even participated in the recent battle between the Israel and Hamas.

The elder one Nisha is posted as head of the Frontline unit of the Communication and Security Department of the Israel Army while the other, Riya is currently doing her commando training for getting a permanent commission in the world’s strongest army.

In Israel, it is mandatory for people over the age of 18 to enlist in the army. Exceptions are made only for physically and mentally challenged persons while performing artists and players are given a relaxation of 75 per cent in their compulsory enlisting period of 2 years and eight months for men and two for women. The IDF has almost equal number of men and women in it.

However, sisters Nisha and Riya have not only done their compulsory stint with the IDF, but also opted for a Military career.

Nisha and Riya celebrating life

Their father Jivabhai Moolyasia runs a general store in the capital Tel Aviv. He along with his elder brother Savdasbhai Moolyasia and their families had shifted to Tel Aviv 30 years ago in search of greener pastures.

Jivabhai and Savdasbhai are natives of Kothadi, a small village in Manavdar taluka of Junagadh, Gujarat. They now run a general store in Tel Aviv. Both are well-known members of the Indian diaspora in Israel.

According to a report, Nisha had been commissioned in the IDF two years ago. Jivabhai Moolyasia says he is very proud of her daughter as they are protecting the Israelis. He says Nisha works for 18 hours and day.

All members of the Moolyasia family are Israeli citizens.

Riya is getting taking her commando training that will last for three more months. After that, she has to clear various examinations before finally being commissioned in the IDF and getting her posting.

Elder sister’s Nisha’s job as head of a frontline unit is considered a position of great responsibility. Her department had played an important role in causing heavy damage in the recent clashes with Hamas of Palestine.

There are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian-origin in Israel. The main waves of immigration into Israel from India took place in the fifties and sixties. The majority is from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis) and relatively smaller numbers from Kerala (Cochin Jews) and Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews).

Jivabhai Moolyasia with prime Minister Narendra Modi

In recent years, some Indian Jews from Mizoram and Manipur(Bnei Menache) have come to Israel. While the older generation still maintains a deep bonding with India, the younger generation has become increasingly assimilated into Israeli society. 

Eliyahu Bezalel hailing from Chennamangalam, Cochin has distinguished himself as an eminent agriculturalist and Sheikh Ansari, who manages the Indian Hospice in Jerusalem, a unique Indian connection to the Holy City, are some of the most well know Indians in Israel.

Each year Indian Jews hold a convention in different locations. This practice was started by the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv when the first-ever convention was held in Ramla in 2012.

According to the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv, there are about 12,500 Indian citizens in Israel, of whom around 11,500 are caregivers and others include diamond traders, some IT professionals and students. Recently, a caregiver from Kerala Soumya Santosh was killed in a rocket attack by Hamas.