Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
‘We Stand With Israel’: Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Tel Aviv Reject Regime’s Alliance With Iran
By Ras Tessema Nadow
A group of Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel have issued a rare and striking declaration of solidarity with the Israeli people, denouncing the regime in their homeland for aligning itself with Iran amid the current conflict.
The group, known as the Blue Revolution or Brigade N’hamedu, is composed of young Eritrean political exiles who fled the regime of President Isaias Afwerki widely considered one of Africa’s most repressive leaders. From their precarious place in Israeli society, the asylum seekers released a letter pledging unwavering support for Israel during what they described as “this critical period of war with Iran.”
“As guests in this country, we not only witness the hardships, but also experience the fear, anxiety, and disruptions that affect everyone living in this country,” the group wrote. “We stand with the people of Israel in these challenging times, and we sincerely hope and pray for peace, security, and ultimate victory for the State of Israel.”
A Stand Against Dictatorship and Proxy War
The open letter not only expresses solidarity with Israelis under fire but also pointedly condemns the Eritrean government’s alliance with Iran a relationship that has operated largely in the shadows of global diplomacy. Eritrea, an isolated state on the Red Sea, has been accused of offering logistical support and access to its ports for Iranian interests in the region, including alleged arms trafficking and maritime operations.
“The Eritrean regime is the main ally of Iran in the Horn of Africa,” the statement continues. “But we, the exiled and oppressed people of Eritrea, reject this alliance. It does not represent us. It endangers the region and betrays our aspirations for peace and freedom.”
For the Brigade N’hamedu, this is not merely geopolitical commentary it is a rejection of the authoritarianism they escaped and a reaffirmation of the democratic values they say they now share with the Israeli public.
Caught Between Two Worlds
There are more than 30,000 Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel, many of whom have lived in legal limbo for years. They are subject to restrictive residency policies, hostile rhetoric, and, in some cases, calls for deportation by far-right Israeli politicians.
Despite these challenges, many Eritrean refugees say they feel a sense of moral and emotional connection to the Israeli people, particularly in times of national crisis.
“We are ready and willing to support, assist, and contribute in any way we can to help the country overcome these difficult days,” the group added, in a gesture meant to underscore their loyalty as well as their desire for inclusion.
Their statement also indirectly challenges the often oversimplified narratives surrounding asylum seekers in Israel, casting them not as passive recipients of protection but as politically engaged actors with a principled stance against tyranny and extremism.
A Shadow Alliance in the Red Sea
While Eritrea’s strategic relationship with Iran rarely makes international headlines, experts have long warned of its implications. The Eritrean government has historically used its Red Sea coastline to engage in discreet but consequential alliances, including with Tehran.
Security analysts have suggested that Iran, under mounting pressure from Western sanctions and Israeli retaliation, may leverage its links in the Horn of Africa to exert pressure or enable asymmetric operations in the region. The Port of Assab, once used by UAE forces during the Yemen war, is among the locations believed to have been repurposed for Iranian logistics.
For Eritrean exiles watching from abroad, this growing entanglement with Tehran is both dangerous and deeply personal. It signals that their homeland still devoid of a constitution, elections, or press freedom—is aligning itself with a bloc of global autocracies, further entrenching its isolation and prolonging their own statelessness.
From Silence to Solidarity
The Brigade N’hamedu’s letter is also an act of defiance. In a political culture where dissent inside Eritrea is met with disappearance or indefinite detention, exile is often the only space for political expression. Their name, “N’hamedu,” means “those who do not forget” in Tigrinya a tribute to the disappeared and a promise to speak up.
As the Israeli-Iran war escalates, their message cuts through diplomatic silence with a clarity born of lived experience: solidarity with Israel, condemnation of tyranny, and a call for justice not just for Israelis, but for Eritreans still trapped in a regime that trades sovereignty for survival.
Editor’s note:
Eritrea, ruled by Isaias Afwerki since 1993, is often ranked among the world’s most repressive states. Independent media are banned, and thousands remain imprisoned without trial. The country’s alliance with Iran contrasts sharply with the values expressed by Eritrean refugees in Israel and the diaspora.
