Editor's Letter jarc www.jarc.org Israel-India Connection S taggered as we may be in the multi-front war against Islamist terror, nuclear arms misuse and anti-West hatred, America is still the world's only superpower. But with the global power balance moving eastward, emerging economic forces such as India and China are gaining power and respect. So it behooves Israel to seek fresh political alliances and vibrant economic partnerships with countries that hold political and economic clout, especially those displaying shared interests with Israel. India fits this mold. That's the gist of a cogent essay that Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, founder and president of the Israel Project, wrote fol- lowing President Obama's November trip to India. India's stature as a friend of Israel and as a key to strengthening democracy's foothold in the East is understated, but indeed resonant. Obama's trip underscored India's growing importance to the U.S. "Similarly:' wrote Mizrahi, "cooperation between India and Israel is expanding as the importance of each country to the other increases:' It matters not that India is one of the largest countries in land mass and population and Israel is one of the smallest. Israel is India's largest arms provider and India is Israel's principal arms market, according to ynet. corn. And India has launched Israeli satellites. The Israel Project is an 8-year-old nonprofit with offices in Washington and Jerusalem. It provides a factual take on the Middle East. I have grown to rely on it for a reality check. Aligned Against Terror Turning to how India and Israel have nurtured cooperation in areas of mutual concern, Mizrahi cited their status "as democracies surrounded by authoritarian and antagonistic neighbors." Of course, one such neighbor is Pakistan, which harbors terrorist breeding grounds. After the Mumbai massacre, India and Israel invigorated their relationship in battling terror — stepping up security and military coordination. For example, Israel trains Indian soldiers. "But even before, starting in 1999:' Mizrahi wrote, "India's Ministry of External Affairs and Israel's Foreign Ministry held annual bilateral consultations in Jerusalem and New Delhi, plus periodic discussions on counterterrorism." I was struck by Mizrahi's finding that terror is responsible for more deaths in India than any other country besides Iraq. Mizrahi wrote persuasively about Israel-India trade, including the high tech industry, chemical and agricultural products, and medical equipment. She recounted how trade has dramatically grown — from $80 million in 1991 to $4 billion in 2008. The countries signed five trade and economic agreements from 1993 to 1996, catapulting the process. India established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992. Negotiations toward a free-trade treaty continue. "Such a treaty:' wrote Mizrahi, "could have a huge influence on Israel's economy and security." Expanding Baseline Mizrahi also hit on two other key areas: •Alternative energy. Israel has a bur- geoning relationship with India on water management and other green endeavors. Tel Aviv-based Netafim put nearly 15,000 acres in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, "the Building A Case Rice Bowl of India," under sprinkler drip Mizrahi, once a foreign affairs legislative assistant irrigation. to the U.S. Congress, laid a compelling blueprint for • Information Technology. Over the past her argument that India, Israel and the U.S. have two decades, companies in Israel and much in common. She wrote: "They are three major America's Silicon Valley joined efforts. The democracies on three continents and are allies to impetus: Israel providing engineering labor The Israel Project's one another. They share the same values of free- and R&D centers for major U.S. technology Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi dom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to companies. As Israel's high tech sector grew vote, strong judicial oversight, women's rights and and associated costs rose, many firms out- more. All three are waging battles against extremist fundamen- sourced part or all of their development to India, much like talists who have launched terrorist attacks against them." U.S. companies. Led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India boasts 1.2 For it to survive the threat of terrorism, spawned by vio- billion people, including 5,000 Jews, a tiny percentage of the lent Muslims who have perverted Islam, and the danger of populace. The Jewish population centers are Manipur, Mizoram anti-Semitism, spurred by Jew-haters who typically embrace and Mumbai, India's financial hub. Jews have lived in this largely anti-Zionism, Israel must find new friends beyond the U.S. Hindu land for more than 2,000 years and, according to Mizrahi, and Canada in North America; Great Britain and Germany in have never been discriminated against (How rare is that?!). Israel, Europe; Australia down under; and the Arab League's Jordan meanwhile, is home to 60,000 Indian Jews. and Egypt, with which it at least possesses legitimate peace Politically, India and Israel have united behind fighting terror treaties. while also boosting trade. Clearly, India is a strategically located Israeli ally to be It wasn't on the magnitude of 9-11, where 19 Al Qaida- reckoned with. It is well positioned to be Israel's most impor- trained terrorists killed nearly 2,800 people on American soil. tant footprint in South Asia. ❑ But the 2008 attack by Pakistani terrorists on Mumbai still shook India's psyche. Ten terrorists murdered more than 170 O Does it make sense for Israel to forge a bond people — Hindus, Jews, Christians and Muslims. The gunmen with the Republic of India? targeted Indians and Westerners in attacking two hotels, a train I— 0 station, a cafe and the Chabad center, where six Jews, including E ,, z Is Israel lax in highlighting its ability to attract four Israelis, were murdered. The slain included a young rabbi allies beyond the U.S.? and his pregnant wife, Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg. • t * . 1 4$ , a Gerry Tischler (1.1 who resides at JARC's Berlin Home pictured with The King" impersonator Gerry Tischler has always been a big Elvis Presley fan, the man he lovingly calls "The King". When the JARC staff heard that a local restaurant was hosting a dinner show featuring an Elvis impersonator, they knew how much it would mean for Gerry to be there. Gerry attended the performance wearing his favorite Elvis tribute shirt and proudly had his photo taken with the star of the show. Whether as a volunteer or donor, your generous support will benefit the men, women and children JARC serves by... 1.41Vialin 1-41/C4. 5arric4: PLEASE REMEMBER JARC IN YOUR 1V1N wwwjamorg 248-538-6611 December 16 • 2010 5