Key facts
- Indian caregiver Rajeev Acharya was fatally stabbed in Israel.
- Avior Zaken, grandson of Acharya's employers, has been indicted for the murder.
- Indian workers are demanding justice, compensation, and protection from the Israeli government.
- Thousands of Indian workers are employed in Israel, primarily in construction and elderly care.
- India and Israel have agreements to significantly increase the number of Indian laborers in Israel.
Indian workers in Israel have filed an appeal demanding justice and accountability following the murder of Indian caregiver Rajeev Acharya, who was stabbed to death by an Israeli national. Israeli authorities have indicted Avior Zaken, the grandson of the elderly couple who employed Acharya, for the attack.
Workers are calling for the Israeli government to fully prosecute the case, provide compensation to Acharya's family, and ensure the protection of Indian foreign workers from violence and abuse. Indian media reported that Zaken faces a charge of premeditated murder.
India's embassy in Tel Aviv stated it is in close contact with Israeli authorities, who informed that a suspect was arrested and an investigation is ongoing. The community's appeal highlighted the particular vulnerabilities of Indian domestic workers who live and work within their employers' homes.
In May 2023, India and Israel signed an agreement to send over 42,000 Indian workers to Israel, with a significant portion designated for construction and elderly care. This number has increased since Israel revoked work permits for Palestinians in November 2023, creating a labor shortage that the Israeli Builders Association sought to fill with Indian laborers. Thousands of Indian workers seek opportunities in Israel due to high unemployment and low wages in India, aiming to send remittances home.
However, several major Indian trade unions have urged the government to halt the flow of workers to Israel, expressing concerns about complicity in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As of August 2025, over 20,000 Indian workers had arrived in Israel since the start of the conflict, and new agreements signed in February 2026 project up to 100,000 Indian laborers by 2028. The Indian government has also faced pressure from activists regarding its continued provision of military supplies to Israel.