Jerusalem, Israel: Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the country barred tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from its construction sector, leading to a significant labor shortage. To address this gap, Israel has turned to Indian workers, with around 16,000 arriving over the past year. Many are attracted by high earnings, often triple what they could earn in India.

Recruiters, like Delhi-based Dynamic Staffing Services, have accelerated efforts to send skilled Indian laborers to Israel. Samir Khosla, the company's chairman, has brought over 3,500 workers and plans to increase that number to 10,000.

Despite the ongoing conflict, workers like Raju Nishad and Suresh Kumar Verma remain undeterred, prioritizing financial stability for their families. However, Israeli experts caution that the influx of Indian workers still falls short of the pre-war workforce, which included 80,000 Palestinians and 26,000 foreigners. This shortfall has led to a 25% drop in construction activity, potentially delaying housing supply in a country with a growing population.

The reliance on Indian workers highlights the economic ties between Israel and India while addressing immediate labor needs in a challenging geopolitical climate.