79-Year-Old Israeli Citizen Kidnapped in Ethiopia for Ransom
A 79-year-old Israeli citizen was recently kidnapped in the Gondar area of Ethiopia, allegedly for ransom purposes. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was reportedly approached by his captors demanding a ransom of half a million Ethiopian Birr, equivalent to approximately NIS 33,000, for his release. In a voice message sent to his family, he pleaded for help, stating that he was in the middle of the jungle with pouring rain. The details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but the Israeli Foreign Ministry has been in contact with security forces in Ethiopia and Interpol.
The victim, Abraham Rabinovich, 34, has a close relationship with the Ethiopian community and tourism. After serving in the Israeli army, Rabinovich moved to Ethiopia where he fell in love with the country. He dedicated a significant amount of time working for the Jewish community and even established a local volunteer organization. More recently, he focused on promoting Israeli tourism in Ethiopia.
In an interview with “Kipfa News,” Rabinovich discussed the security situation in Ethiopia and the types of Israelis who visit the country. Contrary to popular belief, he described Ethiopia as a safe and non-violent country, despite its status as a developing nation. Rabinovich compared the crime rates in Rome, Madrid, and Paris to those in Ethiopia, claiming that travelers are more likely to experience criminal incidents in these European cities.
While acknowledging Ethiopia’s past political instability due to ethnic tensions and a civil war that ended about a year ago, Rabinovich emphasized that tourists have never been targeted. He compared the situation in Ethiopia to that of Israel, highlighting that even small states like Israel face crime issues when the government is not fully functioning.
Regarding the recent kidnapping case, Rabinovich refrained from commenting on the specifics due to the lack of information. He speculated that the victim might have ventured into areas not typically frequented by tourists. Rabinovich acknowledged that criminal kidnappings are usually motivated by ransom demands but are generally internal matters. He emphasized that criminals tend to avoid involving tourists to avoid diplomatic complications.
When asked if the kidnapping incident had affected tourism plans, Rabinovich claimed that, to his knowledge, people were still interested in visiting Ethiopia. He declared the entire country as safe and asserted that South Tel Aviv, for instance, is more dangerous than Addis Ababa at night.
Rabinovich confirmed that the Israeli and Ethiopian authorities are cooperating to secure the release of the abducted citizen. He revealed that he had been in contact with officials from both countries, including the Ethiopian Embassy and the Israeli Embassy. Although he acknowledged that the quality and level of security forces in Ethiopia might not be as high as in Israel, he anticipated that an exceptional force would be utilized in this exceptional case.
Concluding the interview, Rabinovich described the three main categories of Israeli tourists visiting Ethiopia: adults with family or business ties, young people on heritage trips, and backpackers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. He praised Ethiopia’s rich history and nature, highlighting its growing popularity as a destination for Israeli travelers.
As the situation regarding the kidnapped Israeli citizen continues to unfold, the Israeli Foreign Ministry and security forces in Ethiopia remain committed to resolving the crisis and ensuring the safety of Israeli tourists in the country.
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