Text Size

Email Post

Print Post

Comments (0)

Save Article

Gori, Georgia - Since the outbreak of hostilities between Georgia and Russia, the Jewish Agency for Israel has assisted some 200 Jews living near the town of Gori, on the South Ossetian border, who have been evacuated to the Georgian capital.

Most of the Jews have heeded warnings and are en route to Tbilisi, where the rest of the country's 12,000 Jews reside, mainly in the area of the capital.

"I'm staying here till the last Jew is evacuated," a defiant Bashu Mansharov said after the Jewish Agency evacuated hundreds of Jews.

Mansharov is one of less than 50 Jews who have chosen to remain in the village of Gori, which borders on the disputed region. A five-storey residential building was among the targets hit in the village by Russian bombers, several civilians were reported killed.

The Dovershvili family was among those evacuated by the Agency from Gori to Tbilisi. "Our town is under constant bombardment," Shalva Dovershvili said. "People are scared to go out into the streets, everything is closed. You can't even get bread. People are panicking and there are many wounded. When we wanted to leave we couldn't find a car to take us, because everyone is scared to drive."

Mansharov said the majority of those who have not fled are adult men who chose to stay behind and protect their homes and property. "I sent my wife, my two children and my mother-in-law away, but I will stay here until the last Jew leaves," Mansharov said. "Things here are bad, there are many wounded and killed, but even though I am a doctor I'm not in the hospital right now, because we're trying to get all the Jews out. I gave all of them the number of the Jewish Agency, so they could reach them for help."

There are still four Jewish families in South Ossetia that no one has been able to contact as of yet. Georgia's communications network in the region has been badly damaged.

The Jewish Agency has set up a special hotline in Israel to handle requests for information from Georgian Jews concerning relatives living in Georgia.

Telephone: +972.2.6202202

More of today's headlines

“Toronto, Canada - A massive fire and series of explosions at a propane depot has forced a large-scale evacuation of a northwest neighbourhood in Toronto this...” Toronto, Canada - Evacuations after Explosions and Fire at a Propane Depot “Tisha, Ba'v - This year, on Tishah B’av morning, the Chofetz Chaim heritage Foundation is presenting a Video “Leaving Envy Behind: How to Nurture a Geulah Heart in a...” Tisha, Ba'v - Worldwide Tisha Ba'v Event To Broadcast Special Video Presentation By Renowned Speakers