The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade has confirmed that all five Solomon Islands students currently in Israel are safe and well, despite ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.
The students have been in Israel since September 2024, undergoing agricultural training at the Arava International Centre for Agriculture (AICAT).
They completed their training on 5 June 2025 and were originally scheduled to return home on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
(MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)
However, recent escalations in the region—triggered by Israeli attacks against Iran—have led to the closure of Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and widespread airspace restrictions across Israel, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran.
As a result, the students have been unable to travel as planned.
The students in Israel have been advised to make every effort to leave the country once it is safe to do so.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining constant communication with the students.
Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Cornelius Walegerea, stressed that the safety of Solomon Islands citizens remains the government’s top priority.
“Once the airport reopens and it is deemed safe for them to travel, the students will be able to return home,” he said.
The Ministry called on all citizens to take heed of the advisory and cooperate fully with instructions. It also assured the public that it will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
In light of the heightened tensions, the Ministry has issued a formal Travel Advisory urging all Solomon Islands citizens to refrain from traveling to Israel and surrounding regions until further notice.
“The heightened tension in the region can escalate,” the Ministry warned.
“We strongly advise all Solomon Islands nationals currently in the region to take precautionary measures, remain alert, and adhere to security advisories issued by local authorities in their respective host countries.”
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