Israel deports an Eritrean national in landmark case

In a first, Israeli authorities remove Eritrean national identified as supporter of Asmara regime after entering country illegally in 2011 and being arrested in 2025; deportation route included Addis Ababa and Kampala before landing in Eritrea’s capital

At 9:00 a.m., the Enforcement and Foreigners Administration of the Population and Immigration Authority began the deportation process.

The Eritrean regime-supporter being deported from Israel. November 3, 2025.(photo credit: Population and Immigration Authority)

In a first-of-its-kind move, Israeli authorities on Monday deported an Eritrean man identified as a supporter of the Eritrean regime, marking a new precedent in the country’s immigration enforcement policy.

The man, a father of children and divorced, entered Israel illegally in 2011 and had been residing in the country ever since. He was detained in April 2025 after police found a machete in his possession and suspected him of threatening his family. Following his arrest, he was brought before a border control officer for a hearing and subsequently transferred to the Givon detention facility in Ramla.

While in custody, officials determined that he was a supporter of the Eritrean regime, an assessment that was forwarded to the interior minister, who approved his deportation under Israeli immigration law.

At 9:00 a.m. Monday, the Population and Immigration Authority launched the deportation operation, escorted by the Enforcement and Foreigners Administration. The removal marks the first time Israel has deported an Eritrean national explicitly identified as a regime supporter.