From ISKCON Israel: “Hare Krishna! Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. On behalf of the leadership of ISKCON Israel, we inform you that due to the outbreak of the War, there are no casualties among the devotees. HH Bhaktivigyana Goswami Maharaj [flight has left safely for Dubai]. HG Audharya Dhama Prabhu is also safe…Many prabhus have been drafted into the army and are now on the front line. Young mataji soldiers too. Many families have sons and husbands now in the combat zone. Devotees of Ofakim, Sderot, and Ashkelon with their families [are fleeing to safer areas]. With gratitude and prayers for the safety of all devotees.”

From Bala Krishna Das, one of the senior devotees, speaking for the Russian community:

“We just had the biggest retreat we ever had with H.H. Bhakti Vijnana Goswami Maharaja. The war started on the morning of the last day of the retreat. The retreat took place near the Dead Sea in a place that is beyond the reach of the missiles from Gaza, so almost all the devotees who lived in the dangerous areas were safe at the retreat by Krishna’s arrangement.

Some went back home and were in some danger; all are safe now, to the best of our knowledge. The Kibutz we were staying at, “Almog,” kindly allowed the devotees to stay one more night for free due to the situation. That being said, some devotees were drafted, and some have loved ones and relatives on active duty.

Devotees are helping each other and trying to help those around them as well. Devotees are now back in their homes or staying with friends in safer areas. Still, missiles are falling in the center of the country as I am writing these lines.”

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October 8 – ISKCON News has been given some individual, unconfirmed information from devotees in Israel but is awaiting more official reports from ISKCON leadership on any possible impact on individuals or communities. Currently, we have no reports of any ISKCON devotees being harmed in today’s conflict. We will update you as soon as we receive reliable information.  If you have information and or photos, please email them to editor@ISKCONNews.org