SAMOANS SAFELY EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL

Picture of some of the Samoans safely evacuated from Israel posted on Facebook with Vincent Schmidt, in the middle with the flag (Photo: Facebook post)

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the last group of Samoans living in Israel left Jerusalem for Dubai.

Thirteen (13) Samoans left for Jerusalem on Sunday the 1st of October 2023, and joined eight other members of their group when they arrived in Dubai on Tuesday.

The party will resume their original return route through Singapore, Fiji and Samoa, and will arrive on Friday, October 20.

A toddler, one student, and the remaining pilgrims are Christians who came to Jerusalem to participate in the Welcome the King of Glory Gathering, a prayer gathering that typically takes place in the month of October each year.

Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government of Samoa thanked the Government of Australia for its prompt action in providing the group with the necessary opportunities to leave Israel and for working effectively with teams in Apia, Canberra, and Israel to facilitate the group's safe departures from Israel amid the escalating crisis that resulted in flight cancellations.

They also expressed gratitude for New Zealand's assistance in providing information on available flights and Vincent Schmidt, the UN Security and Personal Protection Officer, for his tireless efforts in locating Samoans known to be in Jerusalem and preparing them for an immediate departure. His nightly live broadcasts gave the group's families peace of mind regarding their safety.