Australia has evacuated the remaining 14 Solomon Islanders who were stranded in Israel since war broke out in the Jewish state more than two weeks ago.
The 14 are the last to depart of a 79-member delegation from a religious community in Malaita that had travelled to Israel prior to the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.
The Australian High Commission in Honiara says the group will connect with flights to Australia for the remainder of their journey.
“I’m very happy that the remaining members of the Solomon Islands delegation have departed Israel safely,” Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton said today.
“As firm friends of Solomon Islands, Australia is proud to have supported the group’s return home to friends and family,” he added.
The 65 members of the delegation who departed Israel on Tuesday arrived in Sydney last night, and were welcomed by Trevor Ramoni, Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, and Australian officials.
Hilton said Australia will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to provide support to these Solomon Islands citizens as they continue their journey home.
The group travelled to Israel to be part of a religious gathering called “Welcome the King of Glory Conference”.
Their arrival in Israel was marked by the Hamas attack on the Jewish state, which killed more than a thousand Israeli men, women and children.
The attack has forced Israel into war with Hamas, which is still raging to this day.
In-depth Solomons understands the first group of the stranded Solomon Islanders will arrive in Honiara tomorrow.
