In Amhara, relatives of activist from Israel fear for their lives — Jerusalem Post
In Ethiopia, relatives of Israeli aliyah activist Aselachao Ababa, who remain in the Gondar area of the Amhara region, are living in fear amid escalating violence. As The Jerusalem Post reports, citing Walla, they face movement restrictions, gunfire and kidnappings.
Situation in the Gondar area
Thirty-nine-year-old Ababa lives in the Israeli city of Lod and has spent many years working on aliyah issues concerning members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community. He said that it is difficult for him to maintain contact with relatives in Gondar and in one of the villages in Amhara.
According to the activist, his relatives told him about the death of their neighbor and sent photographs of a house that, he claims, was completely damaged by gunfire. Gondar, an important historical center of the Beta Israel community, is not the main center of hostilities, but is affected by the broader instability in Amhara.
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Clashes between Ethiopian forces and armed groups have continued in the region since 2023. Residents of surrounding areas have reported dangerous roads, movement restrictions, arrests, gunfire and harm to civilians. Last week, seven Ethiopian armed groups, including the Fano movement in Amhara and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, announced an alliance against the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Kidnapping claims
Ababa also said that his relatives had previously been kidnapped and that family members had to raise money and pay ransom for their release. He spoke about his relative Estaola Agen, whose parents are already in Israel. According to the activist, Agen has remained the only member of his immediate family in Ethiopia for more than 25 years, and due to fears of kidnapping, he is moved from one place to another.
The activist claims that aliyah from Ethiopia has not taken place for four years. According to him, families in Israel continue to worry about loved ones living in areas affected by violence.
