Straight Shot Home: Germany's Special Rescue Flights From Israel
Returning Israelis head to Germany
Amidst the chaotic tension brewing between Israel and Iran, Germany has orchestrated a series of special flights to ferry their citizens home safely. Last night, the German airport in Frankfurt welcomed a plane, fresh from Amman, Jordan, housing 171 grateful souls - stuck in Israel due to the ongoing conflict.
"The past couple of days in Tel Aviv were nerve-wracking. During the day, it was bearable, but the night brought along an air raid alert every few hours," stated Lionel Reich upon his return. He echoed feelings of fear from hearing the impacts of rocket strikes and immense relief upon returning to Germany. But he remains apprehensive - his friends living in the heart of Tel Aviv were left devastated, their apartment demolished. Not a comforting thought.
Home Sweet Home, But Disappointment Too
Daniel Halav, another stranded citizen who faced this measure earlier, radiated joy upon landing in Germany. However, he did not hesitate to criticize the German government. "We were on our own when arranging our way to Amman. From my perspective, we weren't given the support we should've received," he lamented. The German embassy in Tel Aviv remained closed for days following Israel's attacks on Iran last Friday. The news about the flights to Amman came in the nick of time, but too late for some, he commented. "That's what we pay our taxes for – for the government to look after us."
Many evacuees spoke of their adventureous journeys from Israel to Jordan, reflecting the logistical challenges faced during a crisis.
Other European Countries Chipped In
Poland, among other countries, organized a convoy to Jordan for their nationals amidst the chaos. The German Foreign Office explained their decision to not provide organized trips from Israel to the Jordanian airport, citing potential additional risks. Instead, they urged evacuees to adhere to Israeli security instructions and avoid overland travel and gatherings, as they were emphasized during the crisis.
Though initially stated that the flights were "commercial special flights" because airline exit options weren't sufficient, officials later revealed that this was technically an evacuation effort, coordinated to ensure the safety of German citizens. More flights are planned if the situation allows and the need arises.
A special flight is scheduled for tomorrow, but it's already fully booked, with preparations underway for another one according to German officials. The Foreign Office encourages Germans to register on its crisis preparedness list, Elefand.
Currently, over 4,000 Germans are registered on the German crisis preparedness list, Elefand, stationed in Israel, and over 1,000 in Iran.
Germans in Iran Advised to Flee
Tensions in the region are running high, a German Foreign Office spokesperson noted. "The Israeli military operations in Iran are ongoing, as are Iranian shelling on Israel. Consequently, the airspace over these two countries remains closed, leaving no entry options via plane."
In response, Germans in Iran are advised to cross overland to neighboring countries Armenia and Turkey, with their open border crossings providing the pathway for continued travel to Germany. In some instances, leaving via the border to Azerbaijan is also possible. From all three countries, commercial flights can be taken to Germany safely. "Germans are encouraged to utilize these options to reach Germany," German officials stated. "Our embassy in Tehran supports departures to the best of their abilities, providing assistance in communication with Iranian authorities as needed."
"Other European countries, such as Poland, have organized their own special travel arrangements for their citizens, mirroring Germany's efforts in evacuating their citizens from the Middle East."
"As tensions escalate and the airspace over Israel and Iran remains closed, many Germans in Iran are advised to adopt an alternate lifestyle, fleeing overland towards neighboring countries like Armenia and Turkey to continue their journey back home."
