In a remarkable display of sportsmanship and international camaraderie, India clinched a historic victory over Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, securing their eighth win against their arch-rivals. The match, held in Ahmedabad, marked yet another unforgettable chapter in the storied India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. Amidst the exhilarating contest, Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, was deeply moved by the outpouring of support from the Indian people, who displayed their solidarity with Israel through poignant posters.
The significance of India's triumph over Pakistan cannot be overstated, considering the historical context and fierce sporting rivalry. However, it was not just the game that tugged at the heartstrings of Mr. Gilon, but the profound gestures of solidarity demonstrated by Indians during the match that truly touched him.
Taking to the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Ambassador Gilon shared his heartfelt sentiments. "We are happy that #India emerged victorious in the #INDvsPAK match at #CWC23 and that Pakistan was unable to attribute its victory to the terrorists of Hamas," he expressed. He went on to say, "We were really moved by Indian friends showing their solidarity with Israel by displaying posters during the match." Accompanying these words were two powerful images of a man holding a poster that read, "India Stands With Israel In War Against Terrorism."
This act of solidarity from Indians not only conveyed their unwavering support for Israel but also underscored the rejection of any unjust attribution of victory. It came in response to Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan attributing his team's victory against Sri Lanka in a previous ODI World Cup match to "brothers and sisters in Gaza."
Ambassador Gilon, who has been instrumental in fostering strong ties between Israel and India, had earlier metaphorically stated that so many Indians volunteered to assist Israel that they could practically form another unit of the Israel Defence Force. He also praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being one of the first global leaders to unequivocally condemn acts of terror.
Speaking to ANI about the overwhelming support from India, Ambassador Gilon expressed his gratitude and optimism. "For me, it's the point of optimism. It's very emotional. The level of support that we got, from the Prime Minister, on the same day on Saturday when the whole picture was not clear. Among the first leaders, who came out and tweeted very clear condemnation. We will never forget that," he shared.
Furthermore, he lauded the Indian leadership for their resolute support, saying, "This is very very important. After speaking with PM Netanyahu, Modiji had another strong tweet. I got calls from Minister... who said 'We are with you'. High officials here, big businessmen here... offering any kind of help."
Ambassador Gilon highlighted that the support for Israel extended far beyond the realms of officialdom and business. "This is only part of the picture, regular Indians. Look at the social media of the embassy. It's amazing, I think I could have another IDF with the volunteers. Everyone is telling me, I want to volunteer, I want to fight for Israel," he added.
In a world marked by tensions and conflicts, the resounding message of unity and camaraderie that emerged from the India-Pakistan match is a testament to the enduring spirit of international solidarity. India's victory on the cricket field and the outpouring of support for Israel remind us that, in the face of adversity, humanity can come together in a display of shared values and goodwill. As Ambassador Gilon aptly put it, India-Israel relations are indeed deep and emotional, strengthened by moments of shared support and friendship that transcend borders and boundaries.
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