Says some youth plan to return to Israel to fight
CANACONA
With a police team stationed at the Chabad House in Palolem, the Rabbi expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements and said they do not anticipate any threat, in view of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
He, however, admitted that some youth had plans to return to Israel and join the country’s defence forces.
Led by a PSI, a police team has been stationed outside the Chabad House in a rented property at Palolem, even as the Rabbi, his wife and children were inside the Chabad House.
Some people could be seen inside the Chabad House rearranging some tables and chairs presumably for the prayer session.
According to the neighbours, the place is almost full of Israelis on a daily basis, as they join in for prayers at the Chabad House and disperse only past midnight.
When contacted, the Rabbi, who declined to reveal his name, told The Goan that the Israeli community in Goa are safe and are living peacefully away from any limelight.
“We do not anticipate any threat from anyone. We are satisfied with the police protection and security cover. Incidentally, we used to have about 1-2 police stationed outside to guard our area. But now, about a dozen police personnel are standing outside,” said the Rabbi, when asked if people felt safe to visit the Chabad House.
The Rabbi, however, refused to mention the number of people visiting the Chabad house on a daily basis. He said they are away from the limelight and are living peacefully in Goa.
Asked if he and other Israeli nationals would be returning to Israel to fight for their country, the Rabbi said: “My country does not need me or my age, but youngsters are required and called to fight for the country. I do not know about others, but yes, some wish to go back and join the country’s defence in the present-day conflict. The rest may want to leave India and go back to Israel after everything cools down back home,” the Rabbi said.
