---------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Anjuna deserted as Israelis leave for war ----------------------------------------- by Sukumar Shastri
Though the war between Israel and Lebanon is being fought in the Middle-East, the fall-out is showing along the Anjuna- Vagator-Arambol beach belt and down south in Palolem. The streets of Anjuna and Vagator in particular are now wearing a deserted look and sources attribute it to the Israeli army's decision to recall many of the Israeli youth, who had come to Goa. Anjuna PI, Rajesh Kumar says, "everything in Anjuna now seems dead. At the moment there are not many Israelis, only a few of them are seen on the streets. Most of them have left". While police sources estimate that about 25-30,000 Israelis visit Goa every year, the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai recorded over 60,000 Israelis visiting India some years ago. It's believed that at least 40,000 of these Israelis visited Goa that year, skipping their country and army service. Incidentally, Israeli intelligence kept a watch on activities of those frequently traveling to Goa and gathered information that indications were that the State could be on the terrorist hit list. This information was passed on to the central intelligence and that's how security was tightened along the coast last year. "Yes", says Anjuna Sarpanch, Savio Almeida, "It's too early to predict what the loss will be but there is no doubt that the effect of the war will be seen in the season." Incidentally in May, the Israeli government had sent rabbis (Jewish preachers) to India to get Israelis out of drugs, drug peddling. Israel was aware not only of army personnel who skipped duty but also their involvement in consuming and pushing drugs in India and more visibly in Goa. The mission took shape after the Israeli government claimed it was concerned of increasing drug use by its youth who find solace in places like Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan, due to easy access to drugs. According to reports, these rabbis were assigned to bring Israelis who have gone 'astray' back into mainstream. It's also learnt that they opened Chabad houses (kind of religious centers) in hired rooms for group discussions, religious counseling and one-to-one discourses. However, when contacted, DIG Ujjwal Mishra said, "may be, we have heard of this but no one has approached us", on the issue. ------------------------------------ HERALD 08/8/06 page 1 ------------------------------------ ====================================== GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ====================================== _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
