Amid rising tensions in the Middle East , Israel has underscored its strong ties with India, calling the relationship "extremely solid" across economic, defense, and cultural fronts. Alex Gandler, deputy spokesperson of the Israel ministry of external affairs, made this statement during an interview, while also addressing the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran .
Speaking about the ongoing hostilities, Gandler emphasized that Israel is not engaging in a "tit-for-tat" conflict with Iran. Instead, Tel Aviv is pursuing "strategic goals" to defeat Tehran’s proxies, which include groups like Hezbollah , Hamas , and the Houthis. He reiterated that Israel's air defense system, along with coalition forces, intercepted around 180 rockets fired by Iran and its Revolutionary Guards, preventing loss of life.
“We’re working to free regions from Iran’s stronghold. For us, this isn’t about retaliation. It’s about dismantling the proxies that threaten regional stability,” Gandler said, outlining Israel’s broader military strategy.
The Israeli official also pointedly criticized the United Nations and its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for not siding with Israel in the conflict. Gandler said Guterres has been declared "persona non grata" for failing to adequately condemn Iran's aggression.
Highlighting Israel's appreciation for its relationship with India, Gandler praised the "great friendship" between the two nations. He stressed that ties between Israel and India are particularly strong on defense, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange, adding that this "people-to-people peace" is the warmest form of partnership.
The comments come after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israeli targets, a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a "big mistake," vowing that Tehran would "pay for it."
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has justified the missile strikes, framing them as a response to Israel's aggressive actions and killings of prominent leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, stating that Iran was exercising its "right to self-defense."
Speaking about the ongoing hostilities, Gandler emphasized that Israel is not engaging in a "tit-for-tat" conflict with Iran. Instead, Tel Aviv is pursuing "strategic goals" to defeat Tehran’s proxies, which include groups like Hezbollah , Hamas , and the Houthis. He reiterated that Israel's air defense system, along with coalition forces, intercepted around 180 rockets fired by Iran and its Revolutionary Guards, preventing loss of life.
“We’re working to free regions from Iran’s stronghold. For us, this isn’t about retaliation. It’s about dismantling the proxies that threaten regional stability,” Gandler said, outlining Israel’s broader military strategy.
#WATCH | Tel Aviv | Dy spokesperson of Israel Ministry of External Affairs Alex Gandler says, "We have a great friendship with India... The relationship between our countries is extremely solid, especially on the economic front, also in defence and mutual values... This… pic.twitter.com/eh7pOhnE4a
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2024
The Israeli official also pointedly criticized the United Nations and its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for not siding with Israel in the conflict. Gandler said Guterres has been declared "persona non grata" for failing to adequately condemn Iran's aggression.
Highlighting Israel's appreciation for its relationship with India, Gandler praised the "great friendship" between the two nations. He stressed that ties between Israel and India are particularly strong on defense, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange, adding that this "people-to-people peace" is the warmest form of partnership.
The comments come after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israeli targets, a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a "big mistake," vowing that Tehran would "pay for it."
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has justified the missile strikes, framing them as a response to Israel's aggressive actions and killings of prominent leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, stating that Iran was exercising its "right to self-defense."
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