Haifa Day Commemoration Cancelled Amidst Rising Tensions

A scheduled event to honor Indian soldiers who liberated Haifa in 1918 during World War I has been cancelled due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The annual commemoration on September 23, organized by the Indian Embassy and Haifa municipality, aims to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

A scheduled event to honor the brave Indian soldiers who liberated the northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa from Ottoman rule during World War I has been cancelled due to escalating tensions in West Asia.

The decision follows widespread strikes between Israel and the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, prompting Israeli authorities to issue precautionary advisories and restrict gatherings. According to an official communication, ''Due to the current situation, the Haifa Day commemoration, planned for September 23, 2024, in Haifa by the Embassy of India, is being cancelled.''

Haifa Day, celebrated annually on September 23, commemorates the courageous efforts of three Indian cavalry regiments that played a pivotal role in liberating Haifa in 1918. Memorial events are held every year at the Indian soldiers' cemetery in Haifa, organized by the Indian mission and Haifa municipality. Despite the cancellation, the contributions of over 74,000 Indian troops who lost their lives during World War I, and particularly those who fought in West Asia, remain significant.