UAE reunites two Jewish Yemeni families after decades apart, after 21 years of separation

Abu Dhabi (WAM) – The United Arab Emirates has helped reunite two Jewish Yemeni families with their relatives after 21 years of separation.

The first family of 15 members, were reunited in Abu Dhabi on Sunday after UAE authorities facilitated the travel of family members from both Yemen and London.

Yitzhak Fayez, 35, told the UAE’s official news agency, WAM, that he had not seen his grandparents and uncle since he was a child, after moving to the United Kingdom 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.” The family was kept apart due to the situation in Yemen and financial difficulties.

Fayez further expressed his gratefulness for the solidarity and support they have received from UAE leadership.

Fayez’s mother, Losa Fayez, said that what happened had put an end to 21 years of suffering, while Soliman Fayez, the grandfather, and Sham’a Soliman, the grandmother, said she was elated over the family reunion in Abu Dhabi, describing the moment as one that will forever remain indelible in her memory.

The second family, the Salem family, were also reunited on Sunday after being parted for 15 years.

Haron Salem, his wife, and two children were flown in from Yemen to meet their relative who lives in Abu Dhabi. “Words cannot express how grateful we are to the UAE. We are very happy being here reunited with our family members. The UAE is truly the homeland of love, tolerance, and peace,” he said.