Israeli citizen reportedly kidnapped in Ethiopia
An Israeli-Russian academic was kidnapped in Iraq by a local militia affiliated with Iran earlier this month
A 79-year-old Israeli citizen of Ethiopian origin has reportedly been kidnapped in Ethiopia. The abduction allegedly took place during a trip to the country’s Gondar region.
Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli citizen sent a desperate voice message to his family.
"Help me, I am in the middle of the jungle, heavy rain is pouring. I was supposed to return on Sunday but it seems I will be staying here. I wouldn’t wish this on my enemies.”
The motive behind the abduction is reportedly criminal in nature. The kidnappers also sent a photograph of the man with his hands tied and are allegedly demanding a ransom of $9,000 for his release.
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem confirmed that it is communicating with the family of the kidnapped Israeli and trying to resolve the crisis through Interpol. In addition, the Israeli Consul in Ethiopia is reportedly discussing the matter with relevant Ethiopian authorities to secure the release of the captured Israeli national.
Earlier in July, it was revealed that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Middle East researcher with dual Russian and Israeli citizenship, was kidnapped in Iraq by a local militia affiliated with the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah.
The Jewish state is currently home to about 160,000 Israelis of Ethiopian descent. The majority of Ethiopian Jews came to Israel during Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991.
In June, 160 Ethiopian immigrants arrived in Israel on a chartered flight sponsored by Christian friends of Israel. They were among some 3,000 Ethiopian immigrants who were reunited with their families in Israel through the Operation Zur Israel effort.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
