In an exclusive interview with NDTV on November 4, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed deep gratitude toward India for standing by Israel during its conflict with Hamas. He stated, “India was by our side, and we will remember that forever.” Sa’ar highlighted that bilateral relations between Israel and India have reached unprecedented strength, driven by cooperation in defense, agriculture, technology, and intelligence.
He revealed that both nations are finalizing a new memorandum of understanding on defense collaboration and developing frameworks for intelligence sharing. Sa’ar also commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first world leader to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, reinforcing the friendship between the two nations.
On the Israel–Palestine issue, Sa’ar rejected the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state that could threaten Israel’s security, emphasizing lessons learned from past mistakes. He reaffirmed Israel’s goal to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities and end its regime in Gaza. The minister further noted that Israel and India share similar experiences in combating terrorism, and their partnership symbolizes a strong, strategic, and future-oriented alliance.