Why Hindus Respect Jews — And Why It Confuses the West | Yeshaya Rosenman

Summary

Mutual Understanding and Historical Relations

Yeshaya Rosenman argues that Israelis and Indians often know little about one another. Israelis may encounter India mainly through travel and spiritual tourism, while some Indians understand Judaism through a Christian lens. He attributes this limited historical contact largely to distance, and says mass communication has made deeper exchange more possible.

He describes India–Israel relations as politically strained for decades. In his account, Indian leaders viewed Zionism as a Western colonial project, and India opposed Israel in international forums, including by supporting the 1975 UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Rosenman says relations began improving after Israel reportedly assisted India during the 1999 Kargil War, and developed further with Ariel Sharon’s 2003 visit and under Narendra Modi.

Shared Themes and Differences

Rosenman sees a civilizational affinity in the two peoples’ accounts of survival and revival. He compares Jewish narratives of exile and return with Hindu accounts of enduring successive conquests and colonial rule, and says Israel’s revival has inspired some Hindus. He also points to shared emphases on education, argument and debate, family, religious identity, and achievement.

He presents both traditions as generally non-proselytizing and non-imperial, while acknowledging important differences in their approaches to conversion.

Antisemitism and Contemporary Prejudice

On antisemitism, Rosenman says India has historically been unusual for the absence of systemic anti-Jewish persecution, apart from the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa. He argues that early Indian opposition to Zionism often reflected ignorance of Jewish history and the influence of colonial-era ideas, rather than direct experience of Jews.

He discusses Gandhi’s opposition to Zionism and his advice that Jews resist the Nazis nonviolently, which Jewish thinkers Martin Buber and Judah Magnes rejected.

The speakers also argue that hostility toward Jews and Hindus can overlap in contemporary politics. They identify far-right racism, parts of the radical left, and Islamist movements as sources of prejudice, and discuss how conspiracy theories about Jewish influence can be echoed in claims about Hindu power. Rosenman suggests that both communities’ success and strong identities can make them targets of ideologies that view them as inconvenient to their narratives. He also notes that Hindu Americans hold varied political views and may face social or professional pressures affecting what they say publicly.

Pakistan and Regional Conflict

Rosenman describes Pakistan’s national identity and conflict with India as closely tied to opposition to Hinduism, while cautioning that Pakistan’s military leadership is not uniformly religious. He draws a parallel with anti-Jewish elements in Palestinian nationalism.

India–Israel Cooperation

The discussion highlights expanding India–Israel cooperation, especially in defense, technology, and joint ventures. Rosenman says India reportedly supplied Israel with drones and loitering munitions during a period of shortages, and sees potential for more Israeli production and collaboration in India.

He expects closer cultural ties but does not foresee India’s voting patterns at the UN changing soon, given its political constraints and history.

Presenters and Contributors

• Ariel Whitman — presenter and interviewer
• Yeshaya Rosenman — guest, researcher and journalist