Israeli Businessman Found Dead in Ethiopian Restaurant Amid Poisoning Suspicions

Hebrew reports stated late Wednesday that an Israeli businessman in his forties was found dead inside a restaurant in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, under circumstances that have not yet been clarified.

The Hebrew website "Walla" reported that as part of the investigation into the businessman's death, authorities are considering the possibility that he was poisoned, while the cause of death remains unknown so far. Meanwhile, the businessman's family is working to transfer his body to Israel.

In the first official comment, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that it "expresses its regret over the death of the Israeli citizen and shares the family's grief."

The ministry confirmed that it is "working in coordination with authorities in both Ethiopia and Israel to return his body to Israel for burial there."

For its part, the Hebrew newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the victim is an Israeli businessman named Rada, aged 48.

It explained that Rada, who conducts business activities in Ethiopia, was spending time at that restaurant. At some point, he went to the restroom, and when he did not return after 40 minutes, a search was conducted, leading to the discovery of his body inside one of the restroom stalls.

The Hebrew newspaper states that the possibility of poisoning is one of the hypotheses being investigated, especially since the deceased was reportedly in good health.

According to the newspaper, local police in Addis Ababa arrested several individuals suspected of involvement in poisoning the Israeli businessman.

It also noted that efforts are currently underway to transfer Rada's body to Israel, and it is likely that an autopsy will be required to determine the cause of death.

It pointed out that in March, Mulu Berahia—a 51-year-old man from the city of Beersheba—died 48 hours before the scheduled arrival of a rescue flight by Israir Airlines, which was supposed to bring him back to Israel.

Berahia, a father of five children—two of whom served as combat soldiers in the Israeli army—traveled to Ethiopia to visit his sick sister.

With the start of Operation "Roaring Lion" against Iran, he found himself stranded there along with several other Israelis, many of whom were elderly people between the ages of 80 and 90 who had traveled there to receive herbal medical treatment. Due to security concerns, no flights were sent to rescue them from Africa.