The civil war in Ethiopia continues to rage and claim victims and while the rebels are advancing towards the capital Addis Ababa, the Foreign Ministry has announced the evacuation of the families of the Israeli diplomatic staff from the country.
The Foreign Ministry said that members of the Israeli diplomatic staff would continue to work in the country, but in light of the uncertainty, most of their families would be evacuated from the country.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid addressed the issue and said: "There was a discussion in the Foreign Ministry, we are examining what is happening in the bureaucracy and we are in contact with the Ministry of Defense and other countries involved in Ethiopia. For the safety of the people I will not expand on the issue."
Following the escalation of the fighting in Ethiopia and the increase in tensions in the country, the Foreign Ministry recommends that Israeli citizens refrain from traveling to Ethiopia at this time.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Israeli citizens residing in Ethiopia end their stay in the country, in the face of civil unrest, disruptions and restrictions on movement and access, communication, product availability and possibly even flights.
Meanwhile, there are growing calls to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel, for fear of their security in the escalating ethnic and political conflict.
Labor Party Secretary General Eran Hermoni commented on the situation in Ethiopia and said: "Ethiopian Jews are in danger.
The government must initiate an emergency rescue operation to raise them due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
It is critical that the issue is raised in the government tomorrow. "
Aerial bombing on main road in Ethiopia, Photo: AP
"Due to the severe deterioration of the security situation in Ethiopia, the Israeli government must initiate an emergency rescue operation for the remaining Ethiopian Jews in Addis Ababa, the Tigray region and Gondar - and bring them to Israel soon. The Israeli government must not abandon our brothers in Ethiopia in the face of danger.
Ethiopia's civil war took an extreme turn last week as the rebel forces of the Tigray Liberation Front managed to occupy two key towns on the main road to the capital Addis Ababa and advance towards the city, with formidable Ethiopian military forces surrendering or retreating.
Along with the reports of the rebels' progress, there were reports of massacres carried out by the rebels with the retreating forces and civilians in the country.
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