Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat has demanded that Hamas be replaced by people who recognize the State of Israel and who are “peace-seekers”. In an interview to NDTV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Mr Barkat also spoke on a range of matters, including Israel and India’s close ties, India’s huge investment in Haifa port, the potential of India-Middle East Is included. -Europe Economic Corridor, and how the two countries’ relations are driven by the equation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Barkat agreed that terrorism has affected both countries.
On Israel’s expectations about whether the Gaza ceasefire will hold and all hostages will be returned, the Israeli minister told NDTV, “Well, our hearts are there. They were abducted from their homes with their pajamas on. They did nothing. And unfortunately, the terrorists, Hamas, kidnapped people, raping them, brutally beheading them, and so now there is an agreement that we can at least bring some of them back. Can Are.”
“Strategically, it should be very, very clear. Hamas cannot survive after this exchange of repatriating our hostages. Strategically, it must be replaced with people who recognize the State of Israel, Those who want peace. Otherwise, Hamas wants to do this (terrorist attack) again, the jihadist charter is to terrorize Israel. We will not let this happen. Said.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had launched an operation in Jenin, in the West Bank, which Mr Netanyahu said was aimed at “eliminating terrorism” in the area. Jenin and its refugee camp are considered a stronghold of Palestinian militancy and Israeli forces frequently conduct raids against armed groups there.
Responding to NDTV’s question on whether Hamas had essentially ceased to be a viable terrorist organization following Israel’s military actions in Gaza over time, Mr. Barakat cautioned against assuming that Hamas had been rendered ineffective. Is.
“Well, unfortunately, no. Their charter, their goal is to wipe Israel off the map. They are jihadists. They want to return to power. As long as they want peace with Israel, they will not let anyone else help them.” Will not allow it to be done.” They are not in power. They won’t be, neither militarily nor on the civilian side. And if, God forbid, they continue, we will never have peace with them. ” Mr Barkat told NDTV.
On Hezbollah, Iran and nuclear weapons
The Israeli minister described Iran and Qatar as “the biggest financiers of terrorism around the world.” Mr Barkat said Iran and Qatar were funding both Hezbollah and Hamas, adding that the focus should be on ensuring Iran does not become a nuclear power.
“We have to focus on making sure that Iran doesn’t become a nuclear power and doesn’t get weakened, and so that we can actually expand the Abraham Accords with the Saudis, Indonesia and other moderate Arab states. It’s a charter in which we have a Mr Barkat also said, “A free world to fight terrorism. I know that India is also being challenged by terrorism.”
The Abraham Accords are agreements to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states. He was signed in 2020. The agreement was named in reference to the alleged common ancestor of Jews and Arabs, the biblical Abraham, and as an expression of brotherhood.
Regarding developments in Syria, where a new regime has taken power, Mr Barat said, “We always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, because unfortunately the people who are now leading Syria are They are jihadists again. Hopefully, they will change their stance.” Pay attention and seek peace. And remember, we’ve had peace with Egypt for 40 years, with Jordan for 25 years, with the Abraham Accords for four years. So Israel has demonstrated that if our neighbor wants to come to the table and cooperate with us and make peace, we will find a way.”
He said, “They have to recognize the State of Israel. They have to want peace. We have wonderful peace with the Emirates, really good economy, really good stability.”
On India-Israel relations
Mr Barkat said he would bring the “largest-ever” delegation of chief executives, entrepreneurs and business to India on February 11 and meet his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal.
“Today there is a strong interest in increasing cooperation between India and Israel. We are really very good at technology. India is really good in scope and size and it is a good match. I am a big, by far the biggest, huge Bringing the mission.” CEOs, entrepreneurs and businesses will come to India on 11 February. It will be hosted by Piyush Goyal,” Mr Barkat told NDTV. “And then another mission will come to Israel and we will look into high tech, health tech, agri tech, food tech, desert tech, aqua tech, advanced industries and of course security. Want to do more business.”
The Israeli minister said the India-Israel equation is a classic infrastructure to do business-to-business because “there are really good relations there between Prime Minister to Prime Minister, government to government, people to people. Good relations.”
He agreed that the personal chemistry between PM Modi and Netanyahu is “extremely important” in taking forward relations between the two countries.
“I want to thank Modi because he is the first one to call Netanyahu on October 7 and extend his support to Israel. We will never forget this. Israel has a good memory. And when we have hard times, Making that phone call and support is extremely meaningful to us and we are very grateful,” Mr Barkat said.
Haifa Port and Economic Corridor
Mr Barkat said that as far as the economic corridor connecting Mumbai and Israel and then Europe through the Middle East is concerned, Israel is open for business.
“As far as the corridor is concerned, we are open for business. We want to make sure that the Saudis are on board, the Jordanians are on board, we are on board, and we are moving our share between the port of Haifa towards Europe And Beit She’an towards Jordan and Mumbai,” the Israeli minister told NDTV.
Regarding the support Israel is receiving from the people of India for its cause, Mr Barkat said he is “very optimistic”.
“…By overcoming the terror around us, we share it with our friends. And India is a big friend of Israel. And so you can assume that whatever knowledge and There is experience, on defence, and of course, on producing food and building better health systems, that we would love to share with India.
“And you know that’s where we are, for me as the Minister of Economy and Industry, India is the top priority now. And that’s why I just had a meeting and I’m coming back with a huge mission to meet the Israelis. Looking forward to seeing how we execute on that relationship to drive even more business.
“India is the largest country in the world in terms of population. And I see growth, you have a really smart government that is focusing on growth. This size, growth and speed is an opportunity for the Israelis. “I’m very honored by this.” We can translate that trusting relationship to greater business,” Mr Barkat said.
With India’s focus on the Make in India program and self-reliant India policy, the Israeli minister told NDTV that there are some things that both countries need to address to ensure that the partnership is in the best interest of both.
“That’s why the mission is coming (in February). I have a lot of security, big security companies coming with me on that mission. We want to make sure we all feel comfortable in the model. It’s a unique model. And the scope and scale of India, it makes sense to do that. We have to sort out the little nuances and that’s one of the reasons why we are coming to cooperate and work out all the details,” Mr Barkat said.
The five-day meeting that began on Monday in Davos is exploring ways to restart growth, harness new technologies and strengthen social and economic resilience, according to the World Economic Forum. Nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries are participating in the global meeting, including 350 government leaders.
India’s participation in Davos aims to strengthen partnerships, attract investments and position the country as a global leader in sustainable development and technological innovation. India sent five Union Ministers, three Chief Ministers and ministers from several other states to the WEF this time.
