Joint repatriation efforts underway to repatriate local students from Israel back home

By Alfred Pagepitu

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is working on repatriating the five students in Israel back to the country.

Minister Hon. Peter Shanel Agovala told SIBC News that the repatriation effort is jointly carried out with the Australian government and Papua New Guinea.

He assured that the students are safe and under the care of the Israeli government.

 “My ministry is closely working with the Australian government to facilitate the potential repatriation of our students, with assistance from PNG,” Hon. Agovaka said.

 Although Australia and PNG are arranging the repatriation of their own nationals, Solomon Islands is seeking to have its students included in the same arrangements.

The Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is monitoring the situation and maintaining regular communication with the students.

 The students have been advised to strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities and continue observing all precautionary measures.

 When asked about their return date, Minister Agovaka said the ministry will confirm their travel plans once logistics and safety allow.

 The government remains actively engaged in efforts to ensure the safe return of its citizens abroad, in coordination with international partners.

The students have been doing agricultural training at the Arava International Centre for Agriculture in Israel since September 2024. 

They completed their training on 5 June 2025 and were scheduled to return home on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

They could not return home due to restricted airspace over Israel, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran caused by the current conflict between Israel and Iran.

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