New Delhi: As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, including children and women as the attack enters its fourth day, an ultra-right-wing leader from India is said to be preparing to join the Israeli military to take part in the killing spree.
In a video statement released on Friday, the controversial head priest of Dasna Devi, Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, known for his bigotry against Muslims and against whom several cases have been filed for scurrilous speech targeting Muslims, expressed his desire to settle in Israel to contribute to Israel's defence efforts against Palestine.
He said he would submit a formal request for settlement to the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on October 16, 2023. The head priest, who has previously been arrested for delivering a hate speech in Haridwar and making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seems undeterred by his controversial past.
His proposal comes at a time when Israel is engaged in military operations in the Gaza Strip, with infantry forces and tanks conducting localized raids to eliminate potential terrorists and locate missing Israelis.
In response to Israel's actions, Iran's foreign minister issued a warning, stating that if the attacks on Gaza do not cease immediately, the conflict could escalate to other parts of the Middle East. Against this backdrop, Yati Narsinghanand's request for settlement adds a new dimension to an already complex situation.
As tensions in the region continue to escalate, the world watches closely to understand the implications of this unexpected development and whether it will have any bearing on the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.