Mangaluru: Private bus named “Israel Travels” renamed after objections

A private bus operating between Mulki and Moodbidri, initially named “Israel Travels,” has been renamed following objections raised by the public.

Lester Kateel, originally from Kateel and an employee in Israel for the past 12 years, had purchased a bus in Mangaluru and named it “Israel Travels.”

The bus business is managed by his family members. However, with the recent escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, some individuals expressed objections to the name, criticizing it on social media.

The issue came to the attention of the police, who advised the bus owners to change the name to prevent any potential spread of communal tension. Responding to the situation, Lester has now renamed the bus “Jerusalem Travels.”

In a statement, Lester explained, “I named the bus ‘Israel’ out of admiration for the country and its systems, having worked there for many years. It is disappointing to change the name due to objections, but I have now renamed it ‘Jerusalem Travels.’ Jerusalem is a holy land, and it is also in Israel.”