Indian PM Modi to Meet Survivor of Mumbai Massacre During Israel Visit

YERUSHALAYIM
Indian PM, Modi, Meet, Survivor, Mumbai, Massacre, Israel
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Reuters/Dmitri Lovetsky/Pool)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly meet Moshe Holtzberg, the orphaned survivor of the 2008 Mumbai massacre, during his visit to Israel next week

Now 11 years old, Moshe was only two when he was rescued by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel from two terrorists of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT). The terrorists had murdered Moshe’s father Rabbi Gavriel and mother Rivkah, along with six others at Nariman Chabad House in Colaba.

Subsequently, Moshe was taken to Israel, where he was placed in the care of his maternal grandparents in Afula. He was granted honorary Israeli citizenship in 2010.

The Hindustan Times reported that the meeting is tentatively set for July 5 in Yerushalayim, a day after Modi arrives in Israel, but details have not yet been finalized.

Moshe wants to be a rabbi and work in Mumbai, his grandfather Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg has said.

Moshe’s nanny Sandra who rescued him was honored by the Israeli government with the title of ‘Righteous Gentile’ and was permitted to extend her stay in the country. She remains in touch with Moshe.

Modi’s red carpet reception in Israel will be on a level usually reserved only for visits of American presidents, observed Israeli Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon. Israel is treating Modi’s visit with “unprecedented importance,” Carmon said. It marks the first time an Idian prime minister has come to Israel.

The airport reception for the Indian leader will include 50 Israeli dignitaries and officials, led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who will personally host Modi during the visit.

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