Reverend Kolivuso Confirms Fijians All Safe in Jerusalem
More than 200 Fijians are in Israel as part of the first chartered flight between the two countries and were part of the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations organised by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
Monday 09 October 2023 | 13:57
The Fijian delegation in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 8, 2023. Photo: lrami Matairavula
Senior Pastor of the Faith Harvest Church in Nausori and part of the Fijian delegation to this year's Feast of Tabernacle in Israel Reverend Manasa Kolivuso says the Fijian pilgrims in Tel Aviv were grateful to be safe and alive despite the situation faced in Israel.
Reverend Kolivuso said they were grateful to God for keeping them safe even though they were at the site of the attacks just two days ago.
He also paid tribute to the mayor of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein who was the Fiji delegation's speaker two days ago and now dead because of the deadly attack in Israel on Saturday.
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Palestinian militants on Saturday fired more than 2000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, killing at least 250 people and wounding several others.
Hundreds of Hamas militants had infiltrated Israel in SUVs, motorcycles and paragliders and opened fire at civilians.
The early morning barrage lasted more than 30 minutes. Israel has declared a 'state of war'.
More than 200 Fijians are in Israel as part of the first chartered flight between the two countries and were part of the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations organised by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
"We were at the Gaza strip boarder two days ago and that is where the attacks began at 6.30am Saturday in Israel," Reverend Kolivuso said.
"We do not know what will unfold in a few days; it is all in God's hands.
"Everyone is safe right now; we are staying put in our various hotels and following all security protocols that are required of us in emergency situation like this one here.
"We want to encourage you and assure you that everyone is safe and secured. Please continue to pray."
National Director for International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) Fiji Mika Mudreilagi also assured that everyone in Israel was safe.
"Yes, explosions did happen in some areas of Gaza, there were disruptions to flights as per the normal security protocols we had to go into the security bunkers and also into our rooms here at the hotel," Mr Mudreilagi said.
"We assure you that all is well here in Jerusalem, all the charter flight members are safe and secure."
Ro Teimumu Kepa
Ro Teimumu Kepa posted in her Facebook account from Tel Aviv yesterday: "We are safe and in good health."
Ro Teimumu, the paramount chief of Rewa, is part of the 200 Fijian delegation that flew to Israel to take part in the annual feast of the Tabernacle.
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
