Ethiopian-Israeli community in Ashdod — 2026 guide

Ashdod — port city and Falash Mura gateway

~9,000 Ethiopian-Israeli community members in Ashdod (CBS 2024). Main concentration: neighbourhoods 9 (Tet) and 10 (Yod). Ashdod also hosts an active Falash Mura absorption centre — "Gav Yam" — accommodating first-year arrivals from Gondar and Addis Ababa.

Key organisations

IAEJ Ashdod — HaTzionut 24, tel 08-852-0044. Legal representation, aliyah support, youth programmes.
ELEM South — Yehuda HaLevi 12, tel 08-866-4040. At-risk youth ages 12–22.
Olim BeYachad Ashdod — HaNasi 5. New arrivals support, bank account setup, housing advice.

Health services

Tene Briut Ashdod — Herzl 8 (inside Clalit). Sun–Thu 08:00–19:00, Fri until 13:00. Hebrew, Amharic, English. Diabetes prevention programme, HbA1c screening, mental health for new immigrants.

Employment

Ashdod Port — major employer in logistics, mechanical operations, security. Apply through employment agencies — contact Employment Service.

Employment Service Ashdod — HaTzionut 44, tel 08-851-7700. Amharic-speaking counsellor by appointment.

Absorption

BTL Ashdod — Herzl 20, tel 08-851-5200. Sun–Thu 08:30–13:00.

Gav Yam absorption centre — for new Falash Mura arrivals: ulpan, employment counselling, cultural guidance. See Falash Mura rights 2026.

Sigd

Annual ceremony at Ashdod-Yad National Park — IAEJ Ashdod and city hall.