Rohtak, Faced with rising unemployment, thousands of Indian workers in Haryana recently participated in a recruitment drive for job opportunities in Israel, despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to Kashmir Media Service, skilled workers including masons, painters, electricians, and plumbers from Rohtak and surrounding areas expressed willingness to work in a conflict zone, attracted by the prospect of significantly higher wages. Lekharam, a mason, voiced the sentiment of many workers who are desperate for employment, regardless of the risks involved. With India’s urban unemployment rate at 6.6% and youth unemployment higher, the lack of job opportunities has become a pressing issue.

Israel’s plans to bring in about 70,000 foreign workers to revive its stalled construction sector have provided a glimmer of hope for many Indian workers. Despite awareness of the risks in Israel, individuals like Vivek Sharma, a 28-year-old mason, are prepared to take the chance for the possibility of earning substantially more than they could in India.