KATHMANDU: As tensions erupt into open conflict between Iran and Israel, concerns are mounting over the safety of thousands of Nepalis working in the region.
While the Government of Nepal confirms that only 12 Nepalis are currently in Iran, more than 5,500 are in Israel—many of them now living under the sound of sirens and the shadow of missiles.
Despite official assurances that the situation is “under control,” voices from the ground paint a more alarming picture. As the conflict escalates, the Nepali government faces a critical decision: Will it take swift action to evacuate its citizens, or opt to observe and issue statements from afar?
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, it was stated that 5,500 Nepalis are working in Israel. According to the ministry, only 12 Nepalis have been living in Iran.
“Currently, there are about 5,500 Nepalis in Israel and about 12 in Iran, and all of them are safe,” the statement said.
“The Nepalese government is closely monitoring the developments between Israel and Iran, and appropriate steps will be taken as needed to ensure the welfare of the Nepalis living there.”
The Ministry informed that Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana had telephoned the Nepali ambassadors in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Doha (Qatar) and instructed them to prioritize the security of Nepali citizens.
According to the Ministry, she also instructed them to remain in constant contact with the Nepali community and to keep the Nepalis informed by regularly disseminating updated information on security alerts issued by the concerned countries.
Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Ari Bash met Foreign Minister Arzu Rana on Monday. The Israeli ambassador met Minister Rana at a time when the war between Iran and Israel was escalating.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “bilateral relations between Nepal and Israel were discussed” during the meeting.
Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi, who was kidnapped during the Hamas attack on Israel about two years ago, is still missing. Now, the risk of thousands of Nepalis working in various cities of Israel becoming victims of the war has increased again.
Nepal has not yet clarified its position on the conflict between Israel and Iran. Nepal has had diplomatic relations with both countries. Due to the Iranian attack, Nepalis in Israel are forced to live in limbo.
In this context, we spoke to a Nepali living in Israel’s Tel Aviv about the situation there.
We wrote a message on Facebook Messenger to Sunil Shrestha from Tarahara, Sunsari, who has been living in Israel for the past 20 years: “Hello, how busy are you? I had something to talk to you.”
The message was sent to him at 11:21 a.m. on Monday. The message did not receive a reply for half an hour.
At 12:04 p.m., an audio call was also not received through Messenger.
The time difference between the two countries is 2 hours and 45 minutes. When it was 12:05 p.m. in Nepal, it was 9:20 a.m. in Israel.
At 12:10 p.m., the audio call was not received. However, the call came from there immediately.
Sunil said, “I am currently in the bunker with my child (daughter). This is an unexpected situation here. Sirens are ringing outside. I will contact you later, right?” The call was disconnected from there.
Sunil called again from Israel on Messenger 15 minutes later. He said that the situation in Israel is currently unusual.
“The situation is unexpected. However, we Nepalis are staying here by trusting the security system,” he said.
Those who have been working as caregivers in Israel are staying at home because they are already based at home. Nepalis who live with their families have private jobs. They live in their own apartments,” Sunil said.
“Those who have a bunker in their apartment stay there. Those who do not go and live in a public center bunker.”
According to him, those bunkers are built by the government. “I am also currently living in the school’s public bunker. I did not find the bunker in the house I was living in suitable,” he said.
“My family has come and lived here. The house I live in is only 5 minutes away from here. I live in Tel Aviv. It is called the Pentagon of Israel; it is near the Ministry of Defense.”
Sunil’s analysis is that it is not appropriate for Nepalese citizens to live in Israel as the war with Iran escalates.
“It is not appropriate to live here when the war is escalating. The previous war was with only one group—Hamas and Hezbollah. However, the current war is with another country,” he said. “If the war with Iran escalates, Nepal will have to come.”
Five Israelis had died in the Iranian attack as of Sunday. This number is increasing daily. Ninety-two people have been injured in the attack.
According to the Israeli Emergency Services, the number of deaths from the Iranian attack has reached 19 so far.
Iran and Israel have been attacking each other’s countries since last Friday. The Iranian Health Ministry said 224 people have died in the Israeli strikes since Friday.
Sunil, who is in Tel Aviv, described the situation there as follows: I have been living in Israel for the past 20 years. There are more than six or seven thousand Nepalis in Israel. If the war escalates, they will have to return to Nepal. If the situation becomes unlivable, who would choose to stay here?
The Nepali embassy also advises us to follow the orders of the Home Command here. In fact, the Home Command’s orders are usually issued even before the embassy says anything.
The role of the embassy is to share information, take all possible initiatives, remind people not to crowd unnecessarily, and advise everyone to follow the rules. The embassy has said to contact them if there is any difficulty.
So far, no one has been affected. What will happen if the situation worsens cannot be predicted right now. For now, both the embassy and the NRNA president have assured that they will provide support.
Yesterday, 10 people died on the spot during an Iranian attack on Tel Aviv. The condition of about 30 others is unknown—they have not yet been found. Around 200 people have been injured. This is the biggest human loss in Israel so far.
Nepalis are safe at the moment. There has been no news of any casualties among us. However, some may want to return to Nepal. It is not appropriate to remain here while the war is escalating.
The previous war was against armed groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. But the current conflict is with another country.
The situation is not what we expected. Still, we Nepalis are staying here, trusting the security system. Some caregivers are staying at home because their work requires them to be there.
Nepalis who live with their families and work private jobs stay in their own apartments. Those who have bunkers in their apartments stay there. Those who don’t go to public bunkers. These public bunkers are built by the government.
I am also currently staying in a public bunker at a school. The bunker in the house I was living in was not suitable. So my family came here to stay. The house is only five minutes away from here. I live in Tel Aviv. It’s called the Pentagon of Israel—it’s near the Ministry of Defense.
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