Historically, the Indian subcontinent was home to several distinct Jewish populations, of which one of the oldest and most significant were the Bene Israel, most of whom eventually settled in Israel. Nissim Moses describes their role in the Zionist enterprise:

The Bene Israel played an important role in the creation and development of modern Israel from before the establishment of the state in 1948. They participated in activities in support of Jews suffering during the pogroms in tsarist Russia. Bene Israel community members began visiting Jerusalem and other parts of Israel during the late 1800s and early 1900s. They donated money toward building a well and plaque at Rachel’s Tomb and they served in Indian units in Palestine during World War I.

After World War II, Lieutenant Ellis Ashton of [Britain’s] 3rd Maratha Light Infantry Regiment became a prominent fighter in the Haganah, where he was given the code-name “Hodi” (meaning Indian in Hebrew). He smuggled Polish Jewish refugees into Israel through Iraq, issuing them false documents, and raided British arms and weapons depots. He . . . was killed in action when he was betrayed . . . to the British.

After Israel was established, most Bene Israel moved to the Jewish state. Today there are an estimated 5,000 members of Bene Israel left in India, while the community in Israel numbers more than 60,000.

But one of the most salient features about Indian Jewry is that it experienced almost no anti-Semitism. Its members came to Israel not out of fear of persecution but out of love for their homeland.

In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump put forth ambitious goals for his first days in office. An additional item that should be on the agenda of his administration, and also that of the 119th Congress, should be defunding, and ideally dismantling, UNRWA. The UN Relief and Works Organization for Palestine Refugees—to give its full name—is deeply enmeshed with Hamas in Gaza, has inculcated generations of young Palestinians with anti-Semitism, and exists primarily to perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Robert Satloff explains what must be done.

[T]here is an inherent contradiction in support for UNRWA (given its anti-resettlement posture) and support for a two-state solution (or any negotiated resolution) to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Providing relief to millions of Palestinians based on the argument that their legitimate, rightful home lies inside Israel is deeply counterproductive to the search for peace.

Last October, the Israeli parliament voted overwhelmingly to pass two laws that will come into effect January 30: a ban on UNRWA operations in Israeli sovereign territory and the severing of all Israeli ties with the agency. This includes cancellation of a post-1967 agreement that allowed UNRWA to operate freely in what was then newly occupied territory.

A more ambitious U.S. approach could score a win-win achievement that advances American interests in Middle East peace while saving millions of taxpayer dollars. Namely, Washington could take advantage of Israel’s new laws to create an alternative support mechanism that eases UNRWA out of Gaza. This would entail raising the stakes with other specialized UN agencies operating in the area. Instead of politely asking them if they can assume UNRWA’s job in Gaza, the Trump administration should put them on notice that continued U.S. funding of their own global operations is contingent on their taking over those tasks. Only such a dramatic step is likely to produce results.