Israel marks record tourism from India

[Varun]

Israel, for the second consecutive year, has broken its tourism record in India along with reaching three million tourist arrival mark this year. More than 49,000 Indians have already visited Israel until October, 2017 marking a growth of 34 per cent from January to October vis-a-vis the same period last year, according to statistics released by Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Hassan Madah, director, Israel Ministry of Tourism India said, “This has been the best year of incoming tourist arrivals for Israel and India continues to be an important contributor for us. Our effort towards promoting Israel as a dynamic holiday destination as opposed to its otherwise restricted perception as a religious destination is yielding positive results and we are witnessing successful outcomes of our increased investments in the India market. Tourism is an important contributor to the Israeli economy and since the beginning of the year, tourism has brought in US$ 4.1 billion into the economy. In 2016, 45,000 Indians visited Israel and we have surpassed that number by October itself this year. We hope to have 60,000 Indian arrivals to Israel by end of 2017.”
Israel Tourism Minister Yariv Levin recently welcomed the three millionth tourist Ioana Isac accompanied by her partner, Mihai Georgescu from Romania with a festive reception ceremony at the airport. Levin and Tourism Ministry director-general Amir Halevi then accompanied the couple to a limousine, as they set off for a holiday experience prepared by the Tourism Ministry of Israel.

The trip started off with a surprise by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who met the couple and took them through a private tour of the Old city of Jerusalem, starting with the Tower of David museum to the ancient fort that traces its foundations back to the Second Temple Period in the first century BC.

As Israel reaches its all-time record, and 2017 is expected to close as Israel’s record year for incoming tourism, Levin said, “This is a special day and an historic milestone as we break the three-million-tourist barrier and we are set to end the year with an amazing achievement, the likes of which have never been reached since the establishment of the state. The huge investment that we are making in marketing Israel around the world and our collaborations with airlines and tour operators is bearing fruit.”

The Ministry of Tourism worked with several airlines to increase their flights and seat capacity into Israel. In light of the significant increase in incoming tourism and the desire to lower the vacationing costs in Israel, several reforms are designed to increase supply in the tourism industry. This includes increased assistance for constructing new hotels in Israel and new opportunities for international entrepreneurs to build hotels in the country.

http://www.financialexpress.com/lif...srael-marks-record-tourism-from-india/932194/

Anybody here been to Israel? A few folks at work have decided to bite the bullet and head there and report that it's a nice place to visit.

A tourist visa for Indians is cake to get so why not? The only catch is you end up with an Israeli stamp on your passport which could make it difficult if/when Gulf bound. But others say that this doesn't matter one jot, and that the Israeli immigration officer will be more than happy to stamp outside of your passport and on your visa if you so request him.

 

[Yossarian]

Anybody here been to Israel? A few folks at work have decided to bite the bullet and head there and report that it's a nice place to visit.

A tourist visa for Indians is cake to get so why not? The only catch is you end up with an Israeli stamp on your passport which could make it difficult if/when Gulf bound. But others say that this doesn't matter one jot, and that the Israeli immigration officer will be more than happy to stamp outside of your passport and on your visa if you so request him.

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

 

[Varun]

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

I would guess:

1. Relative proximity - versus Europe, Australia, parts of Africa etc.

2. Fuss-free paperwork - versus North America, Japan, Australia etc. Only Indonesia and other SE Asian nations can rival in this regard.

3. Authentic tourist sights - versus UAE, Singapore, etc. where things have been built yesterday.

Add to that a bit of novelty as well. It's a country that's still not captured the imagination for most Indian international tourists, so there is the equivalent of first movers advantage - much like how Western tourists are discovering Iceland this decade.

 

[Varun]

To address your specific point, I don't think Indian tourists go to countries for pilgrimages. The land of Cambodia houses the Angkor Wat, but I'm pretty sure inbound tourists from India are pretty slender.

Hinduism isn't a global religion, so it doesn't matter. The only other Hindu nation is Nepal, which is like another state of India and can be visited easily.

 

[Varun]

Another reason is that it's a country that has not fallen apart. Fate hasn't been kind to bonafide tourist desinations (such as Egypt among others) of late.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

Hindus/Sikhs have recently started to display a strong aversion to Islamic countries so if you want to visit a non-Islamic country in the middle east then how many other options are there apart from Israel?

I should stress that this doesn't apply to all Hindus/Sikhs, many are quite happy to earn money in Gulf countries, I believe OP was one of them.

 

[CricketCartoons]

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

For us Hindus, it is their intelligence and work ethics that are most attractive. So many good things to learn from them. Also the place has historical importance regardless of religion. I have been there myself.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Anybody here been to Israel? A few folks at work have decided to bite the bullet and head there and report that it's a nice place to visit.

A tourist visa for Indians is cake to get so why not? The only catch is you end up with an Israeli stamp on your passport which could make it difficult if/when Gulf bound. But others say that this doesn't matter one jot, and that the Israeli immigration officer will be more than happy to stamp outside of your passport and on your visa if you so request him.

Explain this. I may just bite the bullet in Jan.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

For us Hindus, it is their intelligence and work ethics that are most attractive. So many good things to learn from them. Also the place has historical importance regardless of religion. I have been there myself.

All stellar reasons, my cousin has been there as well, apparently they treated him very well despite being from an enemy country. (I'm talking about Pakistan here, not UK for those wondering).

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Explain this. I may just bite the bullet in Jan.

I would cancel those plans if I was you. It won't look good for your forum status when it becomes common knowledge that one of the Rishwat clan beat you to it.

 

[Varun]

Explain this. I may just bite the bullet in Jan.

Hope this helps:

The Israeli passport stamp used to be a question many visitors asked. Today, that question might still be asked but the answer is simple – the Israeli passport stamp is no more, border officials give you an entry visa automatically on a piece of paper. No more stamps in passports (although if you really want one, they might let you!)

The traditional way that visitors to Israel have got around the Israeli passport stamp “problem” has been by asking the border officials to stamp a piece of paper, or entry card. In fact, since early 2013, at Ben Gurion Airport, passport stamping has almost totally stopped, and been replaced by the issuing of an entry card. This solves the problem for most visitors…

https://www.touristisrael.com/the-israeli-passport-stamp/9747/

If I do go, it'll be in Jan around the Republic Day quasi long weekend and I'll report back here from experience.

 

[Varun]

All stellar reasons, my cousin has been there as well, apparently they treated him very well despite being from an enemy country. (I'm talking about Pakistan here, not UK for those wondering).

Although he might have been of Pakistani origin, he likely travelled on another passport - perhaps the UK. It's common knowledge that Israel is a black hole in the Pakistani diplomacy map.

 

[Varun]

Hindus/Sikhs have recently started to display a strong aversion to Islamic countries so if you want to visit a non-Islamic country in the middle east then how many other options are there apart from Israel?

It doesn't help that the countries of the Middle East are in a blazing fire at the moment, with Israel being an island of peace. If you thought the small Persian Gulf nations were also fine, have a look at what happened to Qatar just a few short months ago.

Yet, outside India, maximum number of Indians live in KSA and there are more weekly visitors (tourist and business) to the UAE alone than there are Indians heading to Israel in any given month. So your generalization is inaccurate, to put it mildly.

In an ideal world, the likes of Iraq and Iran will be the places that actually have the sights to see and people would decide to head there for a vaco instead. However.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Hope this helps:



If I do go, it'll be in Jan around the Republic Day quasi long weekend and I'll report back here from experience.

The Visa is not issued on the passport?

 

[Varun]

The Visa is not issued on the passport?

It's an E-visa, so is outside the passport. Whatever stamps you need can end up there once you have a print-out.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Although he might have been of Pakistani origin, he likely travelled on another passport - perhaps the UK. It's common knowledge that Israel is a black hole in the Pakistani diplomacy map.

He doesn't have a UK passport, he's based in Pakistan. No idea what passport he used but he's travelled around a lot of the world due to his position.

 

[Varun]

He doesn't have a UK passport, he's based in Pakistan. No idea what passport he used but he's travelled around a lot of the world due to his position.

Fine. At best, he's the exception to many rules and you can't extrapolate his travel experience to the average Pakistan citizen's. I would hazard a guess that many in Pakistan wouldn't want to visit Israel anyway.

Even if they want to visit that Al-Aqsa mosque there are provisions via Jordan through which they can do so and it's outside the purview of Israel.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It doesn't help that the countries of the Middle East are in a blazing fire at the moment, with Israel being an island of peace. If you thought the small Persian Gulf nations were also fine, have a look at what happened to Qatar just a few short months ago.

Yet, outside India, maximum number of Indians live in KSA and there are more weekly visitors (tourist and business) to the UAE alone than there are Indians heading to Israel in any given month. So your generalization is inaccurate, to put it mildly.

In an ideal world, the likes of Iraq and Iran will be the places that actually have the sights to see and people would decide to head there for a vaco instead. However.

It wasn't a generalisation, I put the qualifier in the part of the quote you left out.

 

[SandyB]

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

My Hometown (Kochi) has sheltered jewish Immigrants/refugees from 1st century AD, most of whose descendants have returned to their homeland. Maybe 4-5 people remain, the Synagogue here is still semi operational and houses artwork of their ordeals and arrival in Southern India.

I'd love to visit Israel just to learn what was their history and how/why did they flee so far to reach our shores ..

 

[SandyB]

The middle east and west asia (Iran , Iraq Egypt etc ) have tremendous wealth of culture and history dating back millenia. If those regions were stable, they could make millions with tourism .

Imagine going on the "Alexander tour" from greece through persia t0 India, or the 'Mongol tour' or the 'Indo-Iranian' tour. "Relive the magical journey of conquest, war, glory and pillaging as the emperors of the past did ! "

 

[Pakpak]

Two of my friends (one British Muslim, one Canadian) visited Israel, the torrid time the Israelis gave them at the airport. One was also a Pakistani dual national (with an expired passport though as far as I know) so I suppose that made sense as Pakistan does not recognise them. Now I have read and heard its common for Muslims, even if you're British, to be stopped for 5-6 hours while you're questioned, your e-mails are opened and checked. They provoke you with questions like ''what do you in your free time? Oh football? Well I kill terrorists'' so you can snap. In the end though they let you in. The friends in question visite the Mosque, talked to a lot of Palestinians and had a good time otherwise. But their security from boarding their plane to coming in is insane.

 

[jusarrived]

Hindus/Sikhs have recently started to display a strong aversion to Islamic countries so if you want to visit a non-Islamic country in the middle east then how many other options are there apart from Israel?

I should stress that this doesn't apply to all Hindus/Sikhs, many are quite happy to earn money in Gulf countries, I believe OP was one of them.

Turkey , Egypt , Morrocco and Jordan are very popular destinations with Indians a lot more than Israel , so are developed countries like dubai , qatar and Kuwait , but i guess since they dont visit Iraq or Afghanistan it must be cos of the reasons you gave .

 

[Varun]

NEW DELHI: Israel has reduced visa fee for Indian travellers from Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,100, in an effort to further increase the number of tourists from the country. The revised application fee is on the B2 visa category, where a visit to Israel is for purposes including business, meeting or conference or tourism.

Israel ministry of tourism (India & Philippines) director Hassan Madah said: “We are happy to announce the reduction in visa fees for Indian travellers with immediate effect. I am confident that this move will encourage more people to choose Israel as a holiday destination and boost inbound numbers from India. With the ease in visa norms and Fast Track visa processing incorporated earlier this year, we have seen an increase in travel and I am confident that the revised visa fees will help grow these numbers. Besides this, we are working towards e-visa processing as well as easing the group visa process.”

He added, “We have seen tremendous growth in the number of tourists from India in the last three years and 2017 has been the best year so far with close to 60,000 visitors.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...m-rs-1700-to-rs-1100/articleshow/64433180.cms

Anybody wanna check out Israel y'all?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Anybody wanna check out Israel y'all?

Seems like that offer is restricted to Indians, might be difficult for me to get a visa as a British Pakistani. Is there a group package deal for RSS members? I can make some enquiries to see if there is a British wing of either RSS or Bajrang Dal and look into getting a year's membership as a means to visiting the holy land.

 

[BlackShadow]

What attracts (non-Muslim, non-Christian, non-Jewish) Indian tourists to go and visit Israel? For the Muslims, Christians and Jews, it's obviously the religious holy sites. But for Hindu's/Sikhs ?
Genuine question.

1) The way people are interpreting this article is a bit misleading. Every year, a record number of Indian tourists visit almost every country, Israel is no exception. The trend will continue for years to come.

2) There are just way too many young Israeli tourists spending months in India. There's a bit of cultural exchange going there, and that has led to young Indians wanting to visit Israel. If there were as many Pakistanis in India, I am sure the number of Indian tourists to Pakistan would increase dramatically too.

 

[Varun]

Seems like that offer is restricted to Indians, might be difficult for me to get a visa as a British Pakistani. Is there a group package deal for RSS members? I can make some enquiries to see if there is a British wing of either RSS or Bajrang Dal and look into getting a year's membership as a means to visiting the holy land.

Either that, or ask your beloved cousin.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Considering visiting Israel again. Last time it was a pain to travel.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Either that, or ask your beloved cousin.

He's a Pakistan citizen and has an official capacity, all I'll get from him is a nudge and a wink as to what his visit was about. I'm looking for a back door entry and this thread popped up and got me thinking.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Seems like that offer is restricted to Indians, might be difficult for me to get a visa as a British Pakistani. Is there a group package deal for RSS members? I can make some enquiries to see if there is a British wing of either RSS or Bajrang Dal and look into getting a year's membership as a means to visiting the holy land.

Brits don’t need a Visa to visit Israel.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel/entry-requirements

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Customs and Immigration

You should expect lengthy personal questioning and baggage searches by security officials on arrival and departure from Israel. Electrical items, including laptops, may be taken from departing passengers for security inspection and either stored in the aircraft baggage hold, or returned to you in the UK. Damage may occur.

If you arrive with valuable personal items (computers, camcorders etc.) you may be required to pay a deposit that is refundable on or after departure.

Israeli security officials have on occasion requested access to travellers’ personal e-mail accounts or other social media accounts as a condition of entry.

Hmm. Maybe I'll go to France instead.

 

[Varun]

He's a Pakistan citizen and has an official capacity, all I'll get from him is a nudge and a wink as to what his visit was about. I'm looking for a back door entry and this thread popped up and got me thinking.

Nevertheless, I'm sure you'll agree that the purpose of your visit will align more closely with his than a harmless tourist like me.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Nevertheless, I'm sure you'll agree that the purpose of your visit will align more closely with his than a harmless tourist like me.

Actually I think the purpose of his visit would probably align more closely with yours than a harmless tourist like me.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Travelling to the forbidden land — A Pakistani in Israel

https://www.dawn.com/news/1275123

 

[Bosanquet]

Seems like that offer is restricted to Indians, might be difficult for me to get a visa as a British Pakistani. Is there a group package deal for RSS members? I can make some enquiries to see if there is a British wing of either RSS or Bajrang Dal and look into getting a year's membership as a means to visiting the holy land.

Assuming your British passport does not have green stripes, you will not require a visa to enter Israel. UK passport holders are given an entry card on arrival at Ben Gurion airport. This allows one to stay for a month or more.
Alas, the RSS will have to exist without your invaluable contributions for awhile yet until you discover another reason to join.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Assuming your British passport does not have green stripes, you will not require a visa to enter Israel. UK passport holders are given an entry card on arrival at Ben Gurion airport. This allows one to stay for a month or more.
Alas, the RSS will have to exist without your invaluable contributions for awhile yet until you discover another reason to join.

Does Israel treat the real native brits and the pakistani or bangladeshi brits equally?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Assuming your British passport does not have green stripes, you will not require a visa to enter Israel. UK passport holders are given an entry card on arrival at Ben Gurion airport. This allows one to stay for a month or more.
Alas, the RSS will have to exist without your invaluable contributions for awhile yet until you discover another reason to join.

I was just trying to keep with the spirit of the OP and the subsequent bump by the same poster. I have a spirit of sharing philosophy rather than taking the exclusive approach so if you can't beat them, why not join them?

 

[Bosanquet]

Does Israel treat the real native brits and the pakistani or bangladeshi brits equally?

Would you care to explain what you mean by "real native brits"? Does one need to have arrived with William the conqueror? Or perhaps with the Angles, Jutes, Saxons, Vikings or Romans?

If however you are referring to Israel's attitude to followers of different religions - then of course their entire raison d'aitre is based on such religious discrimination. You may (or may not) know that anyone, of any nationality, who can prove that they are of Jewish descent can apply for Israeli citizenship (and not just a visa). It's in their law. As demonstrated by Roman Abramovitch last week getting citizenship without ever having lived there.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Would you care to explain what you mean by "real native brits"? Does one need to have arrived with William the conqueror? Or perhaps with the Angles, Jutes, Saxons, Vikings or Romans?

If however you are referring to Israel's attitude to followers of different religions - then of course their entire raison d'aitre is based on such religious discrimination. You may (or may not) know that anyone, of any nationality, who can prove that they are of Jewish descent can apply for Israeli citizenship (and not just a visa). It's in their law. As demonstrated by Roman Abramovitch last week getting citizenship without ever having lived there.

By the real natives, I mean the whites who have been living there since generations. No need to be offended.

So does Israel have the same process for dealing with the real natives as opposed to the children of desi immigrants?

 

[Bosanquet]

I was just trying to keep with the spirit of the OP and the subsequent bump by the same poster. I have a spirit of sharing philosophy rather than taking the exclusive approach so if you can't beat them, why not join them?

A muslim joining the RSS in the spirit of sharing? I bet Mr Modi would welcome you with open arms. Go on, have a go & keep us posted. It would make POTW for sure.

 

[Varun]

Actually I think the purpose of his visit would probably align more closely with yours than a harmless tourist like me.

How are you a harmless tourist in this context? Put together, the Israeli - Palestinian conflict has likely given generations of your family enough fodder for rage for weeks, if not months. Hardly a destination where you'll go to mingle with the locals out at the beach or join a group at a synagogue.

 

[CricketCartoons]

A muslim joining the RSS in the spirit of sharing? I bet Mr Modi would welcome you with open arms. Go on, have a go & keep us posted. It would make POTW for sure.

The RSS has a muslim wing, and it is propaganda that they are anti muslim. They are only against those whose loyalty doesn't lie with the nation first.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

A muslim joining the RSS in the spirit of sharing? I bet Mr Modi would welcome you with open arms. Go on, have a go & keep us posted. It would make POTW for sure.

I am doing some research on British wing of RSS right now, we Muslims believe the whole world belongs to Allah and that includes children of RSS/Bajrang Dal and all can share in brotherhood of mankind. If they have meetings at the temples, are there DVR facilities? I am planning on taking along a Zakir Naik dvd as I hear he has great popularity among Indian community.

 

[Bosanquet]

By the real natives, I mean the whites who have been living there since generations. No need to be offended.

So does Israel have the same process for dealing with the real natives as opposed to the children of desi immigrants?

No personal experience but I do have 2 Islamic friends (British passport) who were questioned for a few minutes at the airport before being issued with entry cards. No such reports from my Caucasian colleagues and friends. One other, clearly sub-continental, friend had no such issues. However her name is that of her (caucasian brit) husband - so not islamic.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

How are you a harmless tourist in this context? Put together, the Israeli - Palestinian conflict has likely given generations of your family enough fodder for rage for weeks, if not months. Hardly a destination where you'll go to mingle with the locals out at the beach or join a group at a synagogue.

I think it causes you more rage than me, it's your thread and you bumped it. How often do you see me posting on Israeli issues, I find India far more interesting due to our shared heritage.

 

[Bosanquet]

I am doing some research on British wing of RSS right now, we Muslims believe the whole world belongs to Allah and that includes children of RSS/Bajrang Dal and all can share in brotherhood of mankind. If they have meetings at the temples, are there DVR facilities? I am planning on taking along a Zakir Naik dvd as I hear he has great popularity among Indian community.

I will avidly (during my sporadic visits here) look forward to voting you to a richly deserved POTW.
And I don't know about temple facilities. I am an absolutely commited atheist. If I 'believed' in a diety , his name would be Dawkins. But of course, blind belief is anathema to atheists.

 

[CricketCartoons]

No personal experience but I do have 2 Islamic friends (British passport) who were questioned for a few minutes at the airport before being issued with entry cards. No such reports from my Caucasian colleagues and friends. One other, clearly sub-continental, friend had no such issues. However her name is that of her (caucasian brit) husband - so not islamic.

That is very judicious of the Israelis. As ones ideology and loyalty changes with your culture/religion/ethnicity, no matter what passport you hold.

 

[pillionrider]

I think it causes you more rage than me, it's your thread and you bumped it. How often do you see me posting on Israeli issues, I find India far more interesting due to our shared heritage.

What shared heritage?

 

[Patwari]

Tel-Aviv looks like a good city but Beirut is much much better and I won't be shocked if it had something to do with politics.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What shared heritage?

My family moved from Jullundar India, Mirpuri pals still mock me with songs of Dum a Dum mast Jullandari.

Having read of the north south divide in India, sometimes I feel Dehli and co should also have been part of Pakistan.

 

[pillionrider]

My family moved from Jullundar India, Mirpuri pals still mock me with songs of Dum a Dum mast Jullandari.

Having read of the north south divide in India, sometimes I feel Dehli and co should also have been part of Pakistan.

Oh, right.

My mistake. You had me confused there for a bit, and I was wondering what shared heritage the Brits had with Indians other than ruling us for a while

 

[Bosanquet]

The RSS has a muslim wing, and it is propaganda that they are anti muslim. They are only against those whose loyalty doesn't lie with the nation first.

That is such total ******** semantics. They justify their rabidly anti-muslim stance by routinely calling Indian muslims anti-national & pro-pakistani. In India nowadays (and much more openly under BJP) any criticism of the government's policies, the army & hindutva in particular is regularly labelled anti-national even traitorous. Freedom of speech is threatened, troll factories churn out hate against journalists, academics , artists etc; the Modi-toadies glamourise everything he does.

Sorry, rant over. You touched a chord. I have friends (economists who have written articles criticising BJP policies) who have received death threats against their elderly parents who live in India. One of them has stopped writing about India.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Oh, right.

My mistake. You had me confused there for a bit, and I was wondering what shared heritage the Brits had with Indians other than ruling us for a while

200 years of rule is another form of shared heritage.

 

[CricketCartoons]

That is such total ******** semantics. They justify their rabidly anti-muslim stance by routinely calling Indian muslims anti-national & pro-pakistani. In India nowadays (and much more openly under BJP) any criticism of the government's policies, the army & hindutva in particular is regularly labelled anti-national even traitorous. Freedom of speech is threatened, troll factories churn out hate against journalists, academics , artists etc; the Modi-toadies glamourise everything he does.

Sorry, rant over. You touched a chord. I have friends (economists who have written articles criticising BJP policies) who have received death threats against their elderly parents who live in India. One of them has stopped writing about India.

Such a massive overreaction. Social media is full of hate, if your friends got intimidated by comments then it is good they stopped writing. Also how did you identify those were from RSS? It is your personal bias speaking.

RSS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be hindustani first and any other thing later. Note that hindustani is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

 

[www787]

Such a massive overreaction. Social media is full of hate, if your friends got intimidated by comments then it is good they stopped writing. Also how did you identify those were from RSS? It is your personal bias speaking.

RSS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be hindustani first and any other thing later. Note that hindustani is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

ISIS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be Islamist first and any other thing later. Note that Islamists is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

Both organization has the core value of being religious extremists, difference is RSS is supported by the government of India and ISIS has no government support.

 

[akki]

ISIS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be Islamist first and any other thing later. Note that Islamists is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

Both organization has the core value of being religious extremists, difference is RSS is supported by the government of India and ISIS has no government support.

But except pakistan other 180 plus countries dnt know about rss na,but isis or hafeej saeed or osama who was caught in pakistan or lashker e taiba etc is world know celebrities from pakistan.........there is a lot of difference ...you are insulting isis by comparing with such a small negligible organization like rss..

 

[Bosanquet]

Such a massive overreaction. Social media is full of hate, if your friends got intimidated by comments then it is good they stopped writing. Also how did you identify those were from RSS? It is your personal bias speaking.

RSS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be hindustani first and any other thing later. Note that hindustani is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

My friends have not stopped writing - one has stopped writing about the new shining hindu india. She waits for a time when this government falls and normal human decency returns to political discourse in "democratic" india.

I am not talking of " sellout media". Is The Hindu "sellout"? What about The Statesman or Telegraph? That term itself demonstrates your own judgemental position by the way. And being anti-BJP/Army/Hindutva does not automatically make one anti- national. It's just that the BJP/RSS trolls wish to portray any criticism of them as anti-national. And most average intellects fall for the propaganda.

My wife had hoped that one day she could return to her home to live in India during British winters. We may have to wait a while the way things are going over there.

 

[CricketCartoons]

ISIS is mainly a voluntary organization which serves people with food, blankets, shelter during floods, winters, heat etc. They are for a casteless and creedless society where everyone should be Islamist first and any other thing later. Note that Islamists is a geographical term not a religious one. But the sell out media will never tell you the truth!!

Both organization has the core value of being religious extremists, difference is RSS is supported by the government of India and ISIS has no government support.

Are you ready for a debate on what you said? I am ready to defend my position. I challenge you to create a thread.

 

[CricketCartoons]

My friends have not stopped writing - one has stopped writing about the new shining hindu india. She waits for a time when this government falls and normal human decency returns to political discourse in "democratic" india.

I am not talking of " sellout media". Is The Hindu "sellout"? What about The Statesman or Telegraph? That term itself demonstrates your own judgemental position by the way. And being anti-BJP/Army/Hindutva does not automatically make one anti- national. It's just that the BJP/RSS trolls wish to portray any criticism of them as anti-national. And most average intellects fall for the propaganda.

My wife had hoped that one day she could return to her home to live in India during British winters. We may have to wait a while the way things are going over there.

All this frustration because Mrs Bosanquet couldn't visit India during your winters? This has my empathy.

Yes, the hindu, statesman and telegraph are sellouts..mileage may vary. Don't pay heed to the trolls, they belong to every ideology on the spectrum. I disown those trolls being a true RSS member. I would like to educate you and cleanse your mind about the RSS, if only you would listen. Will you?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

All this frustration because Mrs Bosanquet couldn't visit India during your winters? This has my empathy.

Yes, the hindu, statesman and telegraph are sellouts..mileage may vary. Don't pay heed to the trolls, they belong to every ideology on the spectrum. I disown those trolls being a true RSS member. I would like to educate you and cleanse your mind about the RSS, if only you would listen. Will you?

Can we have an RSS thread where open minded PP members like myself can learn about this organisation? It would be good to clear up misconceptions if that is what they are, but should the topic cover associate groups like Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal?

 

[CricketCartoons]

Can we have an RSS thread where open minded PP members like myself can learn about this organisation? It would be good to clear up misconceptions if that is what they are, but should the topic cover associate groups like Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal?

There is so much misinformation about the RSS, that a thread will a good idea. Shiv Sena is not an associate group btw. It is a narrow minded divisive group, against the ideas RSS stands for.

 

[www787]

Are you ready for a debate on what you said? I am ready to defend my position. I challenge you to create a thread.

No! not interested in indulging in debate where religious radical extremist groups get any breathing space of support and to justify their existence.

 

[CricketCartoons]

No! not interested in indulging in debate where religious radical extremist groups get any breathing space of support and to justify their existence.

Knew it. You don't have the courage to face the facts. But I won't let you escape so easily.

Prove what is radical or extremist about the RSS.

 

[khan-92]

Alhumdulilah just got back visited Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem & Jericho.
Had stayed close to Masjid al Aqsa in the old city.
I do regular tours to Masjid al Aqsa Alhumdulilah amazing place.

 

[www787]

Knew it. You don't have the courage to face the facts. But I won't let you escape so easily.

Prove what is radical or extremist about the RSS.

How about this, explain why do you think RSS isn't a religiously extremists organization which has perverted the religion Hindu?

 

[CricketCartoons]

How about this, explain why do you think RSS isn't a religiously extremists organization which has perverted the religion Hindu?

You made the claim, so it should be easy for you to explain. go on..

 

[Bosanquet]

All this frustration because Mrs Bosanquet couldn't visit India during your winters? This has my empathy.

Yes, the hindu, statesman and telegraph are sellouts..mileage may vary. Don't pay heed to the trolls, they belong to every ideology on the spectrum. I disown those trolls being a true RSS member. I would like to educate you and cleanse your mind about the RSS, if only you would listen. Will you?

No, the frustration happens when otherwise apparently "normal" people become religious bigots in the current wave of Hindufication that is going on. Things that educated folk would be ashamed to utter in civil society (eg "muslims are not like us, they do x & y....." - complete the sentence with any hateful thing you fancy). This has been enabled by the current government over which the RSS has immense influence.
I personally witnessed one such conversation, in India, amongst affluent educated people which literally left me shaking with anger. We made our excuses and left before I created a scene.

And your own attitude betrays the same position. It's very easy to attack the messenger - "sellouts" , "anti-nationals" when you don't like the message or cannot deny it. We all know that there are extra-judicial killings by the police and army all over India. And by hindutva motivated mobs. But journalists get attacked in the name of patriotism when they try to pursue such stories. And yes, Mrs B has some justifiable fears. She worked for the BBC as a producer and broadcaster - world service broadcasting to Bangladesh, India & Middle east for nearly 20 years until quitting 3 -4 years ago.

Finally, the trolls may not be RSS members but the troll factories get their wages from someone. Someone serving the BJP/RSS ideology. Easy to tell when you get a dozen messages at the same time attacking you in the vilest terms (but very poor English) while praising everything that MODI-JI or Adityanath-ji has done.

I won't go on. Not the correct thread. I recall it was supposed to be about Israel visas.

 

[CricketCartoons]

I won't go on. Not the correct thread. I recall it was supposed to be about Israel visas.

Yes, pity this is not the right thread. because I can give point by point rebuttal and won't be able to defend it. On the subject of RSS, you are a coffee table book while I am an encyclopaedia.

 

[Bosanquet]

Yes, pity this is not the right thread. because I can give point by point rebuttal and won't be able to defend it. On the subject of RSS, you are a coffee table book while I am an encyclopaedia.

Wonderful arrogance on your part but you would be surprised. One doesn't live with a political journalist for half a lifetime without gaining insight into her work. How many Indian (or Bangladeshi) elections have you covered (on the ground no less)? She visited a settlement that Muslims were forced into after being butchered & burnt out from their original locality by BJP/ modi-mobs/hindutvas during the Gujerat riots.
This was when India's oh-so-great PM was in charge of that state. The things she documented were truly horrifying. I am not writing these things just having read about them. So, no; you will not be able to persuade me that the BJP/RSS are a wonderful , benevolent, love everybody type of cuddly organisation which wouldn't hurt a fly.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Wonderful arrogance on your part but you would be surprised. One doesn't live with a political journalist for half a lifetime without gaining insight into her work. How many Indian (or Bangladeshi) elections have you covered (on the ground no less)? She visited a settlement that Muslims were forced into after being butchered & burnt out from their original locality by BJP/ modi-mobs/hindutvas during the Gujerat riots.
This was when India's oh-so-great PM was in charge of that state. The things she documented were truly horrifying. I am not writing these things just having read about them. So, no; you will not be able to persuade me that the BJP/RSS are a wonderful , benevolent, love everybody type of cuddly organisation which wouldn't hurt a fly.

There have been less riots under Modi's tenure compared to any other Gujarat CM. In fact, he brought peace to the state. But not surprised you have fallen for anti modi propaganda and anti RSS lies. I urge you to have a debate with me in a separate thread, you can take help of those who have covered ground realities.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

There have been less riots under Modi's tenure compared to any other Gujarat CM. In fact, he brought peace to the state. But not surprised you have fallen for anti modi propaganda and anti RSS lies. I urge you to have a debate with me in a separate thread, you can take help of those who have covered ground realities.

[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] bhai will be able to help in this regard, he has extensive knowledge of the Indian judicial system which cleared Modi of all charges re the Gujarat riots.

 

[CricketCartoons]

[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] bhai will be able to help in this regard, he has extensive knowledge of the Indian judicial system which cleared Modi of all charges re the Gujarat riots.

I have tagged bosanquet in the modi thread, where he, or anyone, is free to provide evidence incriminating modi. If the judiciary was wrong, clearly there must be some evidence to prove that.

 

[enkidu_]

A lot of Israelis Jews with ties to India, like the Baghdadi Jewish community or the Bene Israel, in many 10 000s - the first ones are Mizrahim who have roots in the Levant as per genetic studies, like the Ashkenazim or Sephardim, but the Bene Israel are mainly the descendants of Jews and local wives.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Alhumdulilah just got back visited Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem & Jericho.
Had stayed close to Masjid al Aqsa in the old city.
I do regular tours to Masjid al Aqsa Alhumdulilah amazing place.

Wrong thread brother, you did not visit Israel.

 

[TM Riddle]

Can we have an RSS thread where open minded PP members like myself can learn about this organisation? It would be good to clear up misconceptions if that is what they are, but should the topic cover associate groups like Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal?

I am an ex RSS member and would happily like to contribute.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I am an ex RSS member and would happily like to contribute.

Please tell me you have still have your wonderful kakhi shorts?

 

[KingKhanWC]

A lot of Israelis Jews with ties to India, like the Baghdadi Jewish community or the Bene Israel, in many 10 000s - the first ones are Mizrahim who have roots in the Levant as per genetic studies, like the Ashkenazim or Sephardim, but the Bene Israel are mainly the descendants of Jews and local wives.

I dont think Indians are welcomed into Israel because of this, those Jews would be a very very small number. Come to think of it, I've never met or heard of an Indian (brown) Jew. How many are there in India?

They have good ties with India now because both have the same foreign policy agenda.

 

[enkidu_]

I dont think Indians are welcomed into Israel because of this, those Jews would be a very very small number. Come to think of it, I've never met or heard of an Indian (brown) Jew. How many are there in India?

They have good ties with India now because both have the same foreign policy agenda.

The Baghdadi Jews were basically Mizrahim, so they looked more like Levantine peuples, Syrians, Lebanese, etc tall and fair unlike the local Indians :

The Bene Israel are simply Jewish men who centuries ago mated with local Indian women, so nowadays they look like typical Indians :

Baghdadi Jews were better off. The famous Sassoon family of Great Britain, which became rich, like the Tagore, by getting involved in the criminal opium trade with China, is one of them.

It's said some 70 000 Jews from India live in Israel, while in India itself there are only few 1000s remaining.

 

[KingKhanWC]

[MENTION=137893]enkidu_[/MENTION] Thanks

However if Jewish men mated with Indian women, the offspring canont be considered Jews as the mother has to be Jew for someone to be classified as a Jew?

Also what is with the genetics of the nose? I always thought it was a slur but the more Jews I've seen all have similar noses, is there any reason for this?

 

[TQ89]

Alhumdulilah just got back visited Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem & Jericho.
Had stayed close to Masjid al Aqsa in the old city.
I do regular tours to Masjid al Aqsa Alhumdulilah amazing place.

What passport do you hold and how was your experience with the locals there?

I have always wanted to see jerusalem & bethlehem.

 

[enkidu_]

[MENTION=137893]enkidu_[/MENTION] Thanks

However if Jewish men mated with Indian women, the offspring canont be considered Jews as the mother has to be Jew for someone to be classified as a Jew?

Also what is with the genetics of the nose? I always thought it was a slur but the more Jews I've seen all have similar noses, is there any reason for this?

Exactly, and that's the open secret no one in Israel wants to admit : the Jews of India, China and Ethiopia are "technically" not Jewish. All these are either the sons of Jewish males (while you become Jewish through the mother, as per Jewish law/halakah) or in fact have no links to Jews at all (that's the case with Falashas/Ethiopian Jews).

The nose is a generic Levantine/Caucasian trait, you find it in all populations of the regions (think of the Armenians), including Jews who have connection with the region (Ashkenazim, Sephardim and Mizrahim).

In Jews it's worse off because they vere very endogamous for centuries, married between themselves for centuries, so the nose comes out weird.

Look at Flavius Joseph, the famous 1st century Jewish historian :