Madhura Naik on Israel's Darkest Day: A Year of Reflection and Resilience

Television actor Madhura Naik recalls her family's terrifying ordeal during the October 7 attacks in Israel, marking the incident as their 'darkest day.' Reflecting on the loss of her cousin and brother-in-law in Sderot, she underscores the indiscriminate brutality of terrorism and the urgent need to combat it.

In a poignant recollection at an event organized by the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, television actor Madhura Naik shared her family's harrowing experience during the October 7 attacks in Israel, which she described as 'the darkest day.' Naik, a Jew of Indian origin, revealed that she lost her first cousin and her brother-in-law in the crossfire in Sderot.

Naik emphasized the adaptability and openness of Jews to different cultures, recounting her family's history of moving back to Israel in the 1970s. Despite feeling a sense of home and belonging, tragedy struck when her relatives were brutally killed in front of their young children by armed terrorists. The horrific event underscored that terrorism knows no religion, race, or gender.

Speaking on the broader impact, Naik stressed that hatred fuels terrorism, and efforts must concentrate on eradicating it. The conflict, intensified by the October 7 attacks, has seen increased tensions in the region, with numerous casualties reported. Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar vowed resilience and determination to defeat the nation's enemies and learn from past events.

(With inputs from agencies.)