The Israeli Embassy in India on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on two Indian workers in Ashkelon, calling it “absolutely unacceptable.” “The Israeli police have caught the perpetrators and will bring them to justice,” the embassy said in a post on X. According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), the assault was a targeted, racially motivated attack carried out in a public park by a group of youths who allegedly planned the ambush through private social media chats. A video released by KAN on YouTube shows at least two men being beaten violently, with Hebrew captions describing the attack as “driven by racism and malice.”Several social media users praised Israel’s quick response. “The strength of the India-Israel bond lies in mutual respect. Attacks on Indian nationals are unacceptable. Appreciate the Israeli police’s quick response,” one user tweeted.“Thank you for treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” wrote another. Congress leader Pawan Khera condemned the attack, calling it a “premeditated racist attack” and urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to immediately verify the victims’ condition and ensure access to adequate, free-of-cost medical care. “This is not the first such attack. And sadly, it may not be the last,” Khera said, stressing the need for diplomatic follow-up.The attackers, reportedly two 19-year-olds, have been arrested by the Israeli police. Details of the victims’ medical condition have not been disclosed.Ashkelon, a city in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip, has recently seen an increase in Indian workers following Israel’s suspension of work permits for thousands of Palestinian labourers after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Recruitment drives in India were launched to fill the resulting labour shortage, particularly in the construction and hospitality sectors.The attack comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled two-day visit to Israel from February 25, during which bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and labour mobility are expected to be discussed.