Nine Holocaust Survivors Arrive In Israel After Fleeing Ukraine

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — About an hour ago, a medical rescue plane landed in Israel with nine elderly Holocaust survivors, along with other sick and wounded people rescued by ZAKA volunteers from the combat zones in the heart of Ukraine.

The group flew in on a ZAKA medical rescue plane with the assistance of Or Avner, The Fellowship and Yad Israel as part of a special flight program of the ZAKA, Chabad Moldova, JDC, and the Jewish Agency.

A special team of ZAKA doctors and paramedics accompanied the medical flight from Moldova to Israel.

The flight also carried the body of the late Holocaust survivor Aharon Skamorovsky, who was rescued with his wife from Kiev by ZAKA volunteers, but unfortunately passed away at the hospital in Kishinev surrounded by his family.

The immigrants were greeted by Mrs. Pnina Tamano Sheta, the Minister of Aliyah and Absorption, Dubi Weissenstein, CEO ZAKA, the director of The Fellowship, Ayelet Shilo Tamir, and employees of the Ministry of Aliya. They were then escorted by ZAKA and Ezer Mizion ambulances, which were prepared ahead of time.

Minister of Aliyah and Absorption, Pnina Temano Sheta, greeted the Holocaust survivors upon their landing in Israel and said: “80 years ago the Jewish people had nowhere to run, and today every Jew in the world has a sheltered home. It is a privilege and highest priority task to help the Holocaust survivors, accompany them through difficult moments and make sure that at their elderly age they will have physical and mental security. It is our duty and we will do it.”

Ayelet Shilo Tamir, CEO of The Fellowship said, “I am proud of the privilege we have of granting Holocaust survivors, who for the second time in their lives were in real life danger and became refugees, a closing of a circle which allowed them to return home – Israel.”

ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstein said, “The fourth medical flight operation from Moldova ended successfully. Dozens of refugees brought to Israel were rescued from Ukraine in complex operations led and thanks to a combination of united forces and cooperation with the organizations and foundations working alongside us in a courageous partnership led by Shlomie Peles and Dovid Mondshine of Or Avner, The Fellowship, Chabad Moldova led by Rabbi Zushe Abelsky, Yad Israel led by Rabbi Moshe Pima, Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moldova, Representatives of Netiv, Ambassador of Israel to Moldova Mr. Yoel Leon, JDC Israel, The Jewish Agency, Rabbi Yitzchak Halfon and his wife. Despite the complex situation, ZAKA volunteers continue to work in every arena to save lives and Kibbud Hamess.”