The flights carried Israelis, Jewish Agency for Israel staff and volunteers and eligible Aliyah applicants

Addis Ababa August 10, 2023 — Three planes took off from Gondar to Addis Ababa on Thursday afternoon, carrying more than 150 passengers including Israeli citizens who had visited the area, The Jewish Agency for Israel staff and participants, including volunteers from the organization’s Project TEN, as well as around 50 eligible immigrants who are expected to immigrate to Israel soon.

The operation comes as violent clashes arose between the Ethiopian Army and the FANO militia in the Amhara province, trapping some 150 Israelis.

Photo 1: Jewish Agency for Israel and Israeli Embassy personnel along with Project TEN volunteers seen moments before their departure from Gondar. (Barak Avraham, CEO of the NGO BeYachad)

The flights were organized by the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with The Jewish Agency. The complex rescue efforts from Gondar to Addis Ababa were led by Jewish Agency security officer, Mamush Marsha, together with a representative of the Israeli Embassy and Jewish Agency security officers. The Project TEN volunteers and Jewish Agency personnel who will arrive in Addis Ababa will later proceed to Israel. Those eligible for Aliyah will be taken care of by The Jewish Agency’s team in Addis Ababa, led by Adana Tadela, in cooperation with the Israeli embassy in Ethiopia, who will attend to all of their needs until the necessary procedures are finalized and they board their flight to Israel.

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Major General (Res.) Doron Almog, said, “After some tense days, The Jewish Agency, along with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Israeli Embassy in Ethiopia, the National Security Council, and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, carried out a courageous operation to rescue those under siege in Gondar. Jewish Agency personnel were on the ground from the very beginning. They worked together with teams in Israel to guide and ensure the safety of the Jews staying in Gondar, including the seven Jewish Agency volunteers at our Project TEN center. Now our staff will support and embrace the rescued individuals with care and sensitivity. We initiated this rescue operation as part of our shared commitment and strong dedication to our people. We won’t break our promise; we won’t abandon any Jew who needs our help on the ground.”

Jewish Agency for Israel volunteers who arrived in Gondar two weeks ago as part of the Project TEN program that operates camps for young Jewish children in the community. (Courtesy)

About The Jewish Agency for Israel
Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. It was instrumental in founding and building the State of Israel and continues to serve as the main link between the Jewish state and Jewish communities everywhere. This global partnership has enabled it to address the Jewish People’s greatest challenges in every generation. Today, the Jewish Agency connects the global Jewish family, bringing Jews to Israel, and Israel to Jews, by providing meaningful Israel engagement and facilitating Aliyah. It also strives to build a better society in Israel – and beyond – energizing young Israelis and their worldwide peers to rediscover a collective sense of Jewish purpose. The Jewish Agency continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk. For more information, please visit: www.jewishagency.org