Gulf News

Jewish families separated for decades reunited in UAE

AUTHORITIE­S FACILITATE RELATIVES’ TRAVEL FROM THE UK AND YEMEN

- BY MARIAM M. AL SERKAL

The UAE on Sunday helped reunite two Jewish Yemeni families with their relatives whom they had not seen for decades.

The first family of 15members was reunited in Abu Dhabi after the UAE facilitate­d the travel of family members from Yemen and London.

Yitzhak Fayez, 35, told WAM that he had not seen his grandparen­ts and uncle since he was a child, after moving to the UK from Yemen.

Fayez’s grandfathe­r, grandmothe­r and uncle were flown in from Yemen, as he and 11 family members, including five great grandchild­ren, flew in from London.

“The last time I saw them was as a child,” he said. “They are today meeting their great grandchild­ren for the first time. Today, the UAE made my family’s dream come true after we had lost hope on getting reunited, after 21 years of separation.”

Fayez’s mother, Losa Fayez, said that 21 years of suffering had ended, while Soliman Fayez, the grandfathe­r, and Sham’ a Soliman, the grandmothe­r, described the moment as one that will forever remain in theirmemor­y.

Fayez expressed his gratitude for the support they received from the UAE leadership.

‘ Homeland of love’

The Salem family was also reunited on Sunday after being parted for 15 years.

Haron Salem, his wife and two children were flown in from Yemen tomeet their relative who lives in AbuDhabi.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are to the UAE. We are very happy being here reunited with our family member. The UAE is truly the homeland of love, tolerance and peace,” he said.

The last time I saw them was as a child. They are meeting their great grandchild­ren for the first time. The UAE made my family’s dream come true ... we had lost hope.”

Yitzhak Fayez | His family was separated for 21 years

Words cannot express how grateful we are to the UAE. We are very happy being here reunited with our family member. The UAE is truly the homeland of love, tolerance and peace.”

Haron Salem | His family was reunited after 15 years

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 ??  ?? Three generation­s of the Fayez family following their reunion in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Three generation­s of the Fayez family following their reunion in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
 ?? WAM ?? Right: Yitzhak Fayez’s children meet their great grandparen­ts after years.
WAM Right: Yitzhak Fayez’s children meet their great grandparen­ts after years.
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