(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this morning (Thursday, 6 July 2017), flew by helicopter from Jerusalem to Haifa. Prime Minister Netanyahu showed his Indian counterpart Israel's narrow waist and explained the area to him.
 
In Haifa, the two leaders visited the British military cemetery in which Indian soldiers from World War I are buried. They laid flowers on the soldiers' memorial and unveiled a plaque in memory of the Indian soldiers who fell in the battle to liberate Haifa.
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote in the guestbook:
 
"In memory of the brave soldiers of India who helped liberate our land. In deepest respect, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel."
 
Indian Prime Minister Modi wrote in the guestbook:
 
"I am deeply honored to stand here today to salute the valiant Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa in the First World War. The exceptional bravery and supreme sacrifice of Major Shakur Dayat Singh, the 'hero of Haifa', and his men will be remembered forever and continue to inspire generations to come. Next year, the century of the Battle of Haifa will present another opportunity to mark this enduring bond between India and Israel. Jai Hindi."