Eilat Port Nears Collapse Amid Red Sea Crisis, Seeks Urgent Government Aid

The southern Israeli port of Eilat is on the brink of financial collapse and is urgently calling on the government for assistance to avoid imminent closure. Hurt by Houthi Blockade, Eilot port seeks aid to help stay afloat. The crisis stems from the ongoing disruption of maritime trade routes in the Red Sea, caused by persistent attacks on commercial ships by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. 

Since the Houthis began targeting maritime traffic a month after the Hamas-Israel war erupted in October 2023, the Eilat port has seen its operations plummet by over 90%. Once a vital hub for Israeli trade with the Far East, India and Australia, the post has struggled to stay afloat with no significant revenue for nealy 20 months. 

Burdened by escalating municipal taxes, salary commitments and growing debt, the port faces a complete shutdown as early as Sunday, which would result in the loss of 170 jobs. 
Gideon Golber, CEO of the Eilat Port, stressed the national importance of the port, calling it Israel’s “southern gateway” and a strategic asset. “The closure of a strategic seaport in Israel would be a huge international success for the Houthis that none of our enemies have ever achieved” Golber warned. 

Conversely, resuming ship unloading from the Far East at Eilat would signal a symbolic victory over the Houthis, he added.