Singer Leora Ittsazac is a second generation Indian in Israel.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi
begins his historic three-day tour of Israel today, there is a lot of excitement among the Indian community in the Jewish state. This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.
There are an estimated
80,000 Jews of Indian origin settled in Israel, of which about 7,000-8,000 are expected to attend PM Modi's big event tomorrow in Tel Aviv.
Indian-origin singer Leora Ittsazac, who will be singing the national anthems of both Israel and India at the community event, is excited to meet the Prime Minister. The 42-year-old performer is a second generation Indian in Israel. Her parents, both Jews, came from Ahmedabad in 1970s and made Israel their home.
"It a very important visit, I think history is becoming the future. I am very much excited. It's an honour to be singing the national anthems (in front of PM Modi)," Ms Ittsazac said.
67-year-old Michael Daniel's mother is from Ahmedabad. They had moved to Israel in the late 1960s when he was 16. "I would request the Prime Minister to ease visa rules for Indians," said Mr Daniel, who works for the municipality and produces entertainment shows.
A lot of Indians headed for Israel in the late 1940s and early 1950s for religious and other reasons. Many of them became farmers, while others moved to urban parts of the country in search of city jobs.
During his visit, PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu will have extensive discussions on water management, science and technology, education, agriculture, defense and security.
Talks about advance sales and production of missiles,
drones and radar systems under the "Make in India" drive will also be on the table, officials in Delhi and Tel Aviv said.