Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, just returned from a six-day official visit to India, during which the two countries declared a “new era” in bilateral relations. Zubair Ahmed of BBC Hindi visited Israel’s Beersheba to meet a population of Indian-origin Jews who arrived shortly after the country’s founding.
Even though Naor Gudekar is 61 years old, he is still a very fit cricketer. He is also the administrator of Israel’s first cricket club, which was created 65 years ago in the desert city of Beersheba by immigrant Indians like him.
When we arrive at the grounds in a much nicer section of town, Mr. Gudekar is leading a practice session for the club squad.
Around 20 individuals of various ages have gathered there, some of them are playing cricket and others are simply socializing. They’re all Bene Israelis or Jews of Indian descent.