A New Alliance: Hindu–Jewish Solidarity in a Time of Rising Extremism

Summary

Hindus and Jews, two of the world’s most ancient living civilizations, share deep civilizational roots, comparable ethical traditions, and increasingly similar challenges in modern societies. From historical trade and cultural exchanges to parallel experiences of persecution and diaspora resilience, the two communities have long-standing connections. In recent years, rising antisemitism, Hinduphobia, and extremist ideologies have prompted growing cooperation between Hindu and Jewish organizations, particularly in Western countries. Through interfaith dialogue, advocacy, and civic engagement, both communities are beginning to build stronger networks of solidarity. This emerging partnership, grounded in shared values and historical experience, has the potential to evolve into a durable alliance defending pluralism and cultural continuity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel attracted significant attention in both Indian and international media. Much of the commentary focused on its geopolitical implications, particularly the strengthening strategic partnership between India and Israel in the face of terrorism and regional instability. The visit also marked an important diplomatic milestone, as Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset.

Yet the significance of the visit extended beyond diplomacy and strategic cooperation. In his remarks, Modi highlighted the much older civilizational connections between India and the Jewish people, drawing attention to the historical, cultural, and philosophical affinities that have linked the two traditions for centuries. These references underscored a deeper narrative that often receives less attention in geopolitical analyses.

Indeed, the relationship between Hindus and Jews is rooted not merely in contemporary strategic interests but in shared civilizational experiences. Both communities belong to some of the world’s oldest living traditions, shaped by sacred geographies, resilient cultural identities, and long histories of diaspora existence. In recent years, these deeper connections have begun to manifest in growing cooperation between Hindu and Jewish communities in Western societies, particularly as both communities confront rising antisemitism, Hinduphobia, and ideological hostility.

The sections that follow explore this emerging Hindu–Jewish solidarity from a civilizational perspective, examining the historical linkages, shared values, and contemporary challenges that are bringing the two communities closer together.

 Civilizational Linkages

The civilizational connections between India and the Jewish people stretch back many centuries, long before the emergence of modern nation-states. The Book of Esther, for example, refers to India as “Hodu,” while the Talmud contains references to trade with India in ancient times. Jewish merchants are known to have traveled along maritime routes linking the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean, seeking commerce and new opportunities. [1]

Some historians trace these trade links going back to the era of the biblical kings David and Solomon. The Old Testament describes fleets of trading ships that returned every few years carrying gold, silver, ivory, apes, and other valuable goods. It also mentions the wealthy kingdom of Ophir, renowned for trade in pearls, sandalwood, and precious metals. Some scholars suggest Ophir may have been located in western India, possibly linked to the ancient Abhira kingdom, though its precise location remains debated. [2]

Beyond commerce, India also became a place of refuge for Jewish communities during times of upheaval. One of the earliest recorded migrations occurred after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. According to longstanding traditions, Jewish refugees arrived on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, particularly at Kodungallur. Local rulers welcomed them and granted land, allowing the community to live with dignity and practice their faith freely. Over the centuries, additional groups of Jews fleeing persecution in other parts of the world found similar refuge in India, contributing to the development of long-standing Jewish communities in the region. [3]

Alongside these historical interactions, a number of intriguing cultural legends have circulated regarding possible shared origins. Some narratives, discussed in modern writings such as those appearing in The Times of Israel, refer to the so-called Jewish–Yaduvanshi hypothesis. According to this folklore, the Jewish people were descendants of the Yaduvanshi Kshatriya lineage associated with Krishna. The story suggests that after the ancient city of Dwarka was submerged, members of the community migrated westward and eventually became known as Hebrews. While such narratives are not supported by historical evidence, they reflect the imaginative ways in which cultural memories sometimes seek to explain perceived connections between distant civilizations. [4]

Whether in trade, migration, or shared cultural imagination, the long history of interaction between these traditions illustrates a relationship shaped by curiosity, exchange, and mutual accommodation.

Shared Traditions and Values

Hindus and Jews belong to two of the world’s most ancient living civilizations, each rooted in a sacred geography that forms the core of its religious and cultural identity. For Jews, this sacred homeland is Israel; for Hindus, it is Bharat. [5]  The foundational texts of these traditions emerged within these lands. The Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of Hindu Dharma, were composed in Bharat, while the Hebrew Bible—often referred to as the Tanakh or the Old Testament—took shape in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. For diasporic communities in both traditions, these lands represent far more than geography. They function as enduring civilizational anchors, sustaining a shared memory and cultural continuity across generations.

Another notable similarity between Hindu Dharma and Judaism lies in their non-missionary character. Neither tradition historically developed large-scale missionary structures comparable to those seen in some expansionist religious traditions. Instead, both evolved within particular cultural landscapes and emphasized the preservation of inherited traditions. This non-missionary ethos has often enabled Hindu and Jewish communities to coexist peacefully with other faiths while maintaining strong internal identities. At the same time, this reluctance to aggressively assert religious identity in the public sphere has sometimes left both communities vulnerable to hostility and misrepresentation. In recent decades, observers have noted the simultaneous rise of antisemitism and Hinduphobia in various parts of the world.

Beyond historical parallels, the two traditions share striking similarities in religious practice and worldview. Both emphasize ritual purity, sacred geography, and detailed guidelines governing everyday conduct. The scholar Nathan Katz has pointed to the importance of water rituals in both traditions. In Hindu temples, ritual bathing tanks form an essential part of sacred architecture. Judaism maintains a comparable institution in the mikveh, a pool of natural water used for ritual immersion. Dietary disciplines also occupy an important place in both traditions. Many Hindus follow vegetarian practices grounded in the principle of ahimsa, while Jewish communities observe the dietary framework of kosher laws.

Sacred spaces likewise hold central significance. Sites such as Mount Kailash and Varanasi occupy a special place in the Hindu religious imagination. For Jews, the spiritual center is Jerusalem, particularly the area known as the Temple Mount. These places serve not merely as pilgrimage destinations but as symbols of enduring historical continuity. [6]

Scholars have also noted conceptual parallels between key ethical frameworks in the two traditions. Judaism’s moral principle of tikkun olam, often interpreted as the responsibility to help repair and improve the world, resonates with the Hindu philosophical idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the belief that the entire world constitutes a single family. Similarly, the Jewish legal tradition of Halakha, which guides daily conduct through law and practice, finds an echo in the Hindu concept of Dharma, a framework that emphasizes ethical duty and righteous living. [7]

Festivals offer another point of cultural resonance. Jewish celebrations such as Hanukkah, marked by the lighting of candles, are often compared with the Hindu festival of Diwali, the festival of lights. Likewise, the joyful spring festival of Holi shares thematic similarities with Purim, both celebrating the triumph of good over evil. [8]

Research has highlighted additional parallels. In a study published in the Pharos Journal of Theology, D. Vallabh observes that both traditions prescribe purification rituals before entering sacred spaces and maintain lunar calendars to organize religious observances. Practices such as fasting during Yom Kippur and the Hindu observances of Navratri reflect a shared emphasis on spiritual discipline and reflection. [9]

Perhaps the most significant common thread linking these two traditions is their longstanding ethos of religious tolerance. Despite facing repeated episodes of persecution across different periods of history, both communities have largely maintained a commitment to coexistence with other cultures and faiths. [10] This enduring emphasis on pluralism, resilience, and civilizational continuity remains one of the deepest bonds connecting the Hindu and Jewish worlds.

Parallel Histories of Persecution

The Jewish community carries a profound collective trauma shaped by the horrors of the Holocaust. For many Jews, this catastrophe remains a defining historical memory that continues to shape communal consciousness and security concerns. In a different but comparable way, large sections of the Hindu community live with memories of violence and displacement accumulated over decades. Among the most painful episodes is the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the early 1990s. The Hindu population in East Pakistan, later Bangladesh, also experienced widespread violence during and after the Bangladesh Liberation War. In addition, Hindu minorities continue to face periodic persecution in neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Many observers argue that the memory of such experiences has often been accompanied by a sense of denial or minimization within public discourse. A comparable debate has emerged regarding Israel’s security situation. Israeli society has faced repeated attacks from militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, yet public discussions in parts of the international media frequently frame these events through sharply polarized narratives.

The targeting of Jewish civilians in Israel and attacks on Hindus in India has sometimes been linked to extremist ideologies that justify violence in religious terms. In both cases, communities that view themselves as victims of terrorism often feel that their suffering is inadequately acknowledged in global conversations about conflict, security, and religious extremism.

The New Front: Hinduphobia and Antisemitism

In recent years, many observers have pointed to the emergence of an expanding coalition of radical Islamist networks and segments of the activist “woke” ecosystem in Western societies that increasingly target both Hindu and Jewish communities. Organizations and individuals from these diasporas who speak about concerns affecting their communities often face sustained criticism, public pressure campaigns, and accusations framed in ideological terms. Hindus and Jews who attempt to raise issues such as religious discrimination, terrorism, or community safety are frequently confronted with charges of promoting “Islamophobia.” In such debates, labels like “Hindu fundamentalists” or “Zionists” are often used as rhetorical tools to delegitimize voices from these communities and discourage open discussion.

Human rights advocate Richard Benkin has argued that Hindus and Jews share certain vulnerabilities in Western public discourse. In an interview published by the Middle East Forum, Benkin suggested that the two communities often confront similar ideological adversaries and, therefore, have reason to cooperate. According to the interview, a number of activist organizations—including Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Stand With Kashmir, and Friends of Kashmir—have been active in campaigns criticizing the governments of India and Israel. These campaigns often frame their criticism through the language of human rights, while critics argue that they often merge with broader ideological narratives that portray India as a “Hindutva state” and Israel as inherently oppressive. [11]

The same interview also suggests that efforts to build Hindu–Jewish solidarity have faced resistance from activist groups that perceive such cooperation as politically threatening. The Islamophobia Studies Center, for instance, has criticized alliances between Hindu and Jewish organizations, describing them as ideologically problematic. Supporters of Hindu–Jewish cooperation reject these claims, arguing that such accusations often function as attempts to discourage collaboration between the two communities. [12]

Research by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has also examined patterns of online hostility directed at both Hindus and Jews. Its studies highlight striking similarities in the spread of antisemitic and Hinduphobic narratives on social media. According to these reports, digital ecosystems often circulate dehumanizing imagery, conspiracy theories, and hateful memes targeting both communities. The reports further note that the circulation of such material frequently spikes during periods of real-world violence, including terrorist attacks or communal tensions. [13] [14]

Rise in Hindu-Jewish Solidarity

In recent years, Western societies have begun to witness the gradual emergence of a Hindu–Jewish coalition shaped by shared concerns about rising antisemitism, Hinduphobia, and radical Islamist extremism. Although this partnership is still in its early stages and does not yet resemble a fully institutionalized global movement, it has begun to take shape through civic initiatives, community networks, and collaborative advocacy. What began as an informal dialogue between community leaders has steadily evolved into a broader effort to address challenges affecting both diasporas.

In the United States, where both Hindu and Jewish communities have long histories of civic engagement, networks of cooperation have expanded noticeably. Community leaders, scholars, and activists from both traditions have increasingly come together to discuss issues ranging from discrimination and campus hostility to terrorism and geopolitical tensions. A visible example of this collaboration occurred in October 2025, when Hindu and Jewish leaders participated in a seven-city speaking tour across the United States aimed at strengthening ties between the two communities and raising awareness about rising prejudice. Organized by HinduACTion, the tour brought together civic activists, policy experts, faith leaders, and community organizers in cities including New York, Texas, Ohio, the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

The initiative coincided with the second anniversary of the October 2023 attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, an event that had intensified public discussions around antisemitism and terrorism. The tour also took place amid debates surrounding legislative proposals such as SB 509, which required law-enforcement training on issues framed as “transnational repression.” Some Hindu advocacy groups criticized the bill, arguing that it risked reinforcing narratives that unfairly targeted Hindu organizations. [15]

During the speaking tour, participants highlighted what they viewed as institutional biases affecting both communities in the United States, particularly in educational and academic settings. Speakers discussed how public universities and certain advocacy networks sometimes frame narratives about India and Israel in ways that they believe overlook the experiences of Hindus and Jews. Sessions also focused on practical strategies for addressing discrimination, improving community advocacy, and strengthening narrative visibility in public discourse. [16]

Another example of this cooperation emerged in October 2023 during a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C., where representatives from Hindu and Jewish organizations discussed the rise of antisemitism and Hinduphobia in North America. Speakers emphasized concerns about extremist violence and the ideological ecosystems that they believe contribute to hostility against both communities. [17]

Efforts to build this relationship, however, are not entirely new. Dialogues between Hindu and Jewish religious leaders date back decades. One milestone occurred in 2008 during the Second Hindu–Jewish Leadership Summit, when representatives of the Hindu Dharm Acharya Sabha met with the delegation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. The declaration issued after the summit emphasized shared spiritual principles, including reverence for a supreme divine reality, the sanctity of life, and respect for religious diversity. It affirmed that different faiths hold sacred values for their respective communities and that no religion possesses the inherent right to denigrate another religion. [18]

Over the past several years, especially since 2023, Hindu–Jewish engagement has expanded further in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom [19], and Australia. [20] Through interfaith dialogue, civic advocacy, and collaborative initiatives, both communities are exploring ways to address discrimination while strengthening a partnership rooted in shared civilizational experiences.

Wrapping Up

Hindu and Jewish communities share deep civilizational linkages, comparable ethical traditions, and increasingly similar challenges in Western societies. Both diasporas carry long historical memories, strong cultural identities, and a commitment to preserving their traditions while participating fully in the civic life of their adopted countries. These shared experiences have created a natural foundation for cooperation at a time when both communities face rising antisemitism, Hinduphobia, and ideological hostility.

At the same time, the institutional trajectories of the two diasporas have differed significantly. Jewish communities in Europe and North America were historically compelled to develop strong advocacy organizations, research institutions, and media platforms to defend their rights and cultural identity. These institutions became central pillars of Jewish communal resilience and public engagement.

The Hindu diaspora followed a different path. Large-scale Hindu immigration to Western countries accelerated only after the mid-1960s, when overt racial and religious exclusion had already begun to decline. Many Hindu immigrants focused primarily on professional success and social integration, paying comparatively less attention to building advocacy structures or shaping public narratives about their community.

Today, however, the need for such institutional capacity has become increasingly evident. Drawing lessons from the Jewish experience, Hindu organizations are beginning to invest more seriously in advocacy networks, intellectual frameworks, and narrative institutions that can protect community interests and strengthen cultural confidence.

If nurtured carefully, the emerging Hindu–Jewish partnership has the potential to evolve into something more significant than a temporary alignment of interests. Rooted in shared civilizational values and reinforced by contemporary challenges, it could develop into a durable alliance dedicated to defending pluralism, cultural continuity, and the dignity of ancient traditions in an increasingly turbulent global landscape.

Citations

[1] Prime Minister’s Address to the Knesset  ( February 25, 2026);  https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/40821/Prime_Ministers_Address_to_the_Knesset_February_25_2026

[2]  Hindu and Jews: The history of the mutual interaction and relation between the two oldest civilizations;   https://organiser.org/2021/05/17/136578/bharat/hindus-and-jews-the-history-of-the-mutual-interaction-and-relation-between-the-two-oldest-civilizat/

[3] Ibid.

[4] The Blogs: India-Israel: Rediscovering Lost Civilizational Links | Gajendra Singh | The Times of Israel;  https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/india-israel-rediscovering-lost-civilizational-links/

[5] Two Ancient Civilizations, One Grievous Wound: Hindu-Jewish Solidarity in the Face of Terror – American Kahani;   https://americankahani.com/perspectives/two-ancient-civilizations-one-grievous-wound-hindu-jewish-solidarity-in-the-face-of-terror/

[6]  Dr. Nathan Katz: Exploring Jewish-Hindu Connections; https://stophindudvesha.org/exploring-the-deep-roots-of-jewish-hindu-connections-with-dr-nathan-katz/

[7] Prime Minister’s Address to the Knesset ( February 25,2026); https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/40821/Prime_Ministers_Address_to_the_Knesset_February_25_2026

[8] Ibid.

[9] Cross-examining similarity and variance between Hinduism and Judaism by Dr. D. Vallabh; https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/pharos_article_21_vol_97_2016.pdf

[10] Ibid.

[11]  Richard Benkin: Jews and Hindus Face the “Same” Islamist Adversaries – Middle East Forum; https://www.meforum.org/benkin-jews-hindus-face-same-islamist-adversaries

[12] Ibid.

[13]  Antisemitic Disinformation: A Study of the Online Dissemination of Anti-Jewish Conspiracy Theories ;  https://networkcontagion.us/wp-content/uploads/NCRI–AntisemiticDisinformation-FINAL.pdf

[14]  Quantitative Methods for Investigating Anti-Hindu Disinformation;  https://networkcontagion.us/wp-content/uploads/NCRI-Anti-Hindu-Disinformation-v2.pdf

[15]  Combating hate: Hindu and Jewish leaders unite for seven-city US tour against rising hate | World News – The Times of India; https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/combating-hate-hindu-and-jewish-leaders-unite-for-seven-city-us-tour-against-rising-hate/articleshow/124621537.cms

[16] Ibid.

[17] Congressional Briefing: Hindu, Jewish, Multi-faith Communities Stand in Solidarity with Israel; https://www.pgurus.com/hindu-jewish-multifaith-communities-stand-in-solidarity-with-israel-at-multi-faith-congressional-briefing/

[18] Declaration of the Second Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit; https://hindupact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hindu-Jewish_Leadership_Summit_Declaration.pdf

[19] INSIGHT UK. “Tens of Thousands Join in Solidarity Against Terrorism.”  https://insightuk.org/tens-of-thousands-join-in-solidarity-against-terrorism/

[20] Hill, Bruce. “A Growing Bond.” The Australian Jewish News. https://www.australianjewishnews.com/a-growing-bond/