Opinion In the aftermath of the Bondi attack, I am reminded of my profound trip to Israel

I recently returned from a profoundly enriching multi-city visit to Israel as part of a distinguished Indian delegation focused on art, culture, and film. We were invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Israel, and the journey offered a perfect blend of history, diplomacy, culture, and deep human reflection. The primary aim of our visit was to strengthen people-to-people relations between our two nations, especially in the realms of cinema and culture.

As a team deeply associated with these fields, I saw immense scope for collaboration. We share so much in common — from our commitment to democracy to the civilisational challenges we both face. One of the highlights was participating in the internationally attended Jerusalem Sessions, which proved to be an extraordinary platform for cross-cultural dialogue. These sessions brought together filmmakers, scholars, journalists, and thought leaders from across the globe. We discussed not only the craft of storytelling but also the heavy responsibilities we carry as communicators in today’s polarised world. The sessions served as a powerful reminder that narratives shape nations — and sometimes even save them.

I was heartened to note that the Indian delegation’s contributions were widely appreciated, adding valuable depth to conversations on media ethics, cultural diplomacy, and narratives for global peace. Walking through Jerusalem’s Old City was a profoundly spiritual experience for me. Accompanied by fellow delegates, I traversed the narrow stone streets leading to the Wailing Wall, the holiest site of prayer for the Jewish people. Standing before those ancient stones, etched with centuries of devotion, I felt truly humbled — the weight of history and the enduring power of faith were almost tangible. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I marvelled at the overlapping layers of religious significance. It is rare to encounter a place where time seems to fold into itself, where every faith has its own sacred story. For me, the Old City was more than a historical site; it prompted deep personal reflection on India’s millennia-old tradition of coexistence.

One of the most emotionally charged moments came during our visit to the Nova Festival Massacre Site. As we arrived, a heavy silence descended upon the entire group. It was devastating to stand at the very spot where so many young lives were tragically cut short. The grief remains raw, the pain palpable. I couldn’t help drawing striking parallels with the Pahalgam terror attack in India. Meeting survivors and families of the victims was heart-wrenching; their stories reminded me that human suffering is universal — it transcends borders, politics, and ideologies. That visit has left a permanent imprint on all of us.

In Haifa, paying respects at the Indian Soldiers Memorial filled me with immense pride. It commemorates the heroic role of Indian troops in the 1918 Battle of Haifa, a lesser-known yet glorious chapter of our military history. Standing there, I thought of the bravery of the Indian horsemen from the Jodhpur, Mysore, and Hyderabad Lancers who liberated the city from Ottoman control. We also visited the magnificent Bahá’í Gardens, where the sheer serenity struck me deeply. It is one of the most peaceful places I have ever experienced, instantly reminding me of our own Lotus Temple in Delhi — a shared symbol of harmony that the world desperately needs today.

My visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Centre, evoked a silence that pierced the soul. No museum has ever affected me so profoundly. Walking through those rooms — seeing the photographs, diaries, and the children’s memorial — shook me to my core. It reinforced my conviction that we in India need a memorial of a similar scale to educate future generations about the atrocities inflicted on our forefathers over the centuries, from invasions to colonialism and the traumatic Partition.

The experience also underscored the vital importance of responsible media, ethical storytelling, and actively countering hate. Throughout the trip, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and affection Israelis showed towards India. Ordinary citizens were familiar with our classic songs and legendary actors like Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. We met many Israelis who had travelled to Goa, Kerala, and other parts of our country. Their love for India was truly touching. Of course, the icing on the cake was the delightful culinary walk in Jerusalem guided by the internationally acclaimed food curator David Kichka.

Our visit to Sapir College also opened promising avenues for cooperation in media and cinema education between our two nations. We had the great honour of meeting J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, along with his wonderful team at the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, as well as senior officials from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reflecting on the entire journey, I can say it was far more than a diplomatic or cultural engagement. It was a voyage across centuries of faith, moments of unimaginable human suffering, and inspiring stories of courage and coexistence. The experience has only strengthened my belief in the power of dialogue, empathy, and truth.

Such exchanges open new doors for deeper India–Israel cooperation in media, culture, education, and people-to-people ties. Through films and cultural performances, we must showcase to the friendly people of Israel that there is so much more to India beyond Goa, Manali, and Kerala. And yes, we have valuable lessons to learn from Israel in narrative building. They proactively invite journalists, filmmakers, academicians, and intellectuals from around the world to share their perspectives. As fellow victims of terrorism, we too must sensitise global audiences to our concerns. Let us not limit our outreach to the diplomatic community alone.

At the India Habitat Centre, we are soon going to unveil the best of art, culture, film and culinary experience in our galleries, auditoriums, restaurants and open spaces. Shalom till then.

The writer is director, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi and former director general, Indian Institute of Mass Communication