Nearly 8K Telugus in Israel Gripped by Fear

NIZAMABAD: Natives of the two Telugu states residing in Israel, estimated at around 8,000, are in a state of fear over the ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas militants.

Most of the migrants — especially from East and West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh and Nizamabad and Karimnagar in Telangana — work as caretakers and stay away from their families, as local law does not permit them.

While the Telugu people are spread across Israel, the worst affected are those from Sircilla and Jagtial, who are staying in the border city of Sderot.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle from Tel Aviv, Israel Telangana Association’s former president Soma Ravi said that they are worrying over possible attacks by militants, who infiltrated Israel. “I have been living in Israel for the past 18 years, but never witnessed such a bad war-like situation. When rockets are launched into the airspace of Israel, we take shelter in the inbuilt bunkers that each house in Israel has,” he said.

Ravi said that authorities warned them to stay away from crowded places as Hamas militants in disguise may attack such places.

“Compared to border places, we are in a safer zone, but we are still worrying over possible attacks by the Hamas militants at any time. New office-bearers of the Israel Telangana Association were elected last Friday but our celebration mood changed with the war,” he said.

ITA vice-president Mahesh Goud said that there was no problem concerning accommodation and food, as of now. “Usually, rockets will be blasted in the air, but its particles may be dangerous to the people. After 50 years, Israel witnessed the worst war effect in the country,” he said.