Tel Aviv, July 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced to start a new flight service connecting Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv.
"Now a Delhi-Mumbai-Tel Aviv air service will be initiated. And so I invite youth of Israel to visit India," Modi announced amid thunderous applause.
Modi made the announcement while addressing the Indian Diaspora in Tel Aviv's Convention Center.
Air India had earlier announced to start direct flight between Delhi and Tel Aviv. The flight service was to start in May but the launch was delayed as several countries, which fall in the selected route, denied the overflight permission.
Air India used to operate directs flights to Israel from Delhi until mid-1990s and Mumbai until early 2000. The flights were withdrawn for commercial reasons.
Modi meets little Moshe, says he can stay, visit India as he likes
Moshe Holtzberg, the boy whose Jewish parents were killed during the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said he would be granted a long-term visa to stay and visit in India as he liked.
Moshe's parents - Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg - were killed during the attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai in the 26/11 terror attacks. Moshe was two years old when the attack happened.
The boy, now about 11 years old, read out a written note as he met the visiting Indian Prime Minister, and conveyed his best wishes to Modi for remaining the Prime Minister of India for many years - in Hindi.
"I would like to wish you: Hamara aashirwad apke sath hai aap Pradhan Mantri rahenge salon tak (our blessings are with you, you will be the Prime Minister for many years)," Moshe said.
Moshe said he wanted to visit Mumbai.
"My parents lived in Mumbai, with Jewish and non-Jewish. Their house was open to everyone. I now live in Israel with my grandparents.
"I hope I will be able to visit Mumbai, and when I get older, I will live there. I will be the director of our Chabad House," he said.
Moshe was miraculously saved by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuels during the attack on the Chabad House.
"I was saved by my very special nanny Sandra," Moshe said.
He also said he loves to play, and tries to be a good student.
"I will ask something from all my heart... Please continue to love me forever. Always remember my parents. I grew up in Mumbai, I will be happy to visit Mumbai. When I get older I will live there," he said as Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flanked him on either side.
Both leaders could be seen smiling as the boy read out his note, and Netanyahu said he can travel to India with him.
"Prime Minister Modi invited me to India, you will come with me," Netanyahu said.
Modi then asked the boy if he would like to come and stay in India, in Mumbai.
"Yes," replied Moshe.
"You are most welcome... You and your family members will get a long term visa from my government. Anytime you can come, anywhere you can go," Modi said, patting the boy's shoulders and touching his cheeks.
Moshe also gifted Modi a collage of photos of him with his parents, which had a message: "The Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, souvenir from your visit to Jerusalem in 2017. With great appreciation and admiration."
