Samoans attending a religious event in Israel are safe

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Samoa Observer is reporting that 22 Samoans who are in Israel for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ)'s Feast of Tabernacles 2023 are safe. The group arrived in Tel Aviv on a chartered Fiji Airways flight on September 29 with no idea that they would be embroiled in a Middle East war that broke out Saturday, Oct. 7.  Of the 22 Samoans, 11 are from Samoa, nine are from New Zealand, and the rest are Samoans living in Australia and the United States.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the leader of the group in Israel, Shivani Sharma said despite the chaos and rockets being launched and fired close to them, they were optimistic and safe.

"For us, everything is just as it was, there's no difference, we are in a hotel, the hotel is providing all our meals, everything is running as normal with the 48 hours of lockdown," she told The Observer.

The Samoan delegates in Israel are under the umbrella of the Supernatural Fellowship, which is a non-profit youth-centered organization with an agenda to inspire young people in Samoa about the word of God.

For the time being, the return flights have been postponed due to the war.

Ms. Sharma was asked when they are expected to return to Samoa given their cancelled flights, she said she can't give the dates because of security reasons but they should be back in Samoa on Friday this week.

Fiji Airways released a statement saying, “Fiji Airways will continue to monitor the situation and respond to the changing security situation. The safety and security of our staff and guests is our top priority.”

FIJI CITIZENS ARE SAFE

The Government of Fiji says 200 Fijians who are currently in Israel to observe the Feast of the Tabernacle are safe. The Government said it is in direct contact with the Fijians in Israel and can confirm that they are safe and accounted for.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said they are closely monitoring the situation and are in regular communication with their citizens to provide them with any necessary support.

He also said the Government is aware of Fiji Airways' rescheduling and they will continue to coordinate with the airline.  This is the same flight on which Samoa citizens will be leaving the country.

PM Rabuka expressed his condolences for the loss of life and suffering.