Fijian Students Evacuated from Israel

The 13 students of Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute, who were interning in Israel’s agricultural farms, were on the same flight with the Fijian delegation returning from the Feast of the Tabernacle.

The students departed Fiji in August and were to study and work for 11 months in Israel under the ‘Learning by doing’ internship programme.

Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute Head Uraia Waibuta confirmed that the individuals were part of the chartered Fiji Airways flight carrying more than 200 Fijians and regional participants of the annual event from Tel Aviv.

The flight was scheduled to arrive early this morning.

This is amid the Israel-Hamas war where thousands of civilians and foreigners have been killed as well as hostages taken by the militant group, Hamas.

Mr Waibuta said: “Their (students) safety was our priority and we had to arrange to get them back home as the situation in Israel escalated,” Mr Waibuta said.

“They were doing a good job in Israel and we were getting so many great responses by those who employed them,” he said.

Mr Waibuta said the students were reluctant to return home.

“They were not close to where the attacks were happening but we were getting concerns from their families.”

He hoped that they would be able to complete their internship programme once the situation clear.

Charter return flight 

Minister for Immigration Pio Tikoduadua said the return of the chartered flight from Israel this morning stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens and a demonstration of international solidarity.

In the flight are 198 Fijians who were part of the pilgrim’s tour, 13 Navuso students, 13 Australians, 16 New Zealanders, eight Samoans, two Canadians, two Filipinos, and two Americans.

“The safety and well-being of our citizens, both within our borders and abroad, remains the paramount priority of the Fijian Government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“In steadfast collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have maintained active communication with the Israeli Government amidst the ongoing conflict situation,” he said.

“We have also put our National Integrated Coordination Center on high alert to monitor the situation in Israel—a team comprising of the Ministry of Home Affairs, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RFMF and the Police met this morning to discuss our options and next steps.”

He applauded the commitment of Fiji Airways, especially the crew members who chose to fly into a nation at war.

“Our vigilance continues. We are in ongoing coordination with the IDF and international entities to locate and support Fijians who may still be in the Middle East, including those serving in UN Missions such as UNFIL, UNDOF, UNTSO, MFO, and the Guard Force in Iraq.

Fijians and regional participants of the annual event at the Tel Aviv Airport. Their flight arrives this morning.

Death toll rises 

The death toll in the Israel-Hamas war continued to climb yesterday; the fifth day after the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched a massive, unprecedented terror attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip.

The deadly attack has claimed more than 1200 lives in Israel, including 14 Americans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday declared war against the militant group.

Palestinian militants in Gaza sent gunmen into Israeli territory in a major escalation of the long running conflict between the two sides.

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