"It's Bloody Marvellous to be Back"
Assistance for Individuals Returning from Israel
Relief for Israelis as Special Flights Bring Them Home from War-Torn Territories
The skies above Frankfurt am Main recently welcomed a unique aircraft, as it brought a group of weary travelers back to Germany from the chaos and danger in Tel Aviv. The special flight from Amman, Jordan, was arranged by the Foreign Office for Germans who had been stranded in Israel due to the intense conflict with Iran.
Journeying Home: Adventures and FrustrationsOver 170 Germans, relieved to see a glimmer of home in the distance, stepped off the plane at Frankfurt Airport. Their journey had been far from easy, with many expressing frustration and concern over the lack of support they felt from the government.
Lionel Reich, a traveler who had been residing in Tel Aviv, shared his experiences: "These past few days have been nerve-wracking and unsettling. During the day it was okay, but at night there was an air raid alarm every two or three hours. You could hear the rockets impacting, and it was terrifying." He added, "I still worry about my friends who lived in the city center; their apartment was destroyed, and that lingers in the back of my mind."
Daniel Halav, another passenger, echoed Reich's sentiments, saying, "I've never been so happy to be home. But I have to tell you, I wasn't feeling very taken care of by the government. We had to figure things out ourselves to get to Amman. I think that's what taxes are for—for the government to look after its people."
Organized Travel or Extra Risk?While other European countries like Poland had opted for organized convoys to Jordan for their nationals, the German Foreign Office decided against it. A spokesperson explained that organized trips from Israel to the Jordanian airport could create additional risks. Instead, they advised travelers to follow the Israeli authorities' security instructions and avoid overland travel and gatherings.
Coalition of the Willing?The continued Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and the Iranian shelling on Israel have kept the region in a state of turmoil. Israeli airspace remains closed, which has primarily disrupted air travel into and out of Israel. Germans stranded in Iran are advised to travel overland to neighboring countries like Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan and continue their journey to Germany with commercial flights. The Foreign Office also offers its crisis preparedness list, Elefand, for registration, with over 4,000 Germans registered in Israel and more than 1,000 in Iran.
As the situation remains volatile and uncertain, the special flights will continue as needed, according to the Foreign Office. While travelers are undoubtedly relieved to be home, many continue to wrestle with the emotional and logistical challenges of the journey. Despite the ordeal, Lionel Reich expressed hope for a brighter future: "I guess we just have to hope for peace and recovery."
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
- Israel
- Frankfurt am Main
- Foreign Office
- Wars and Conflicts
- Travel and Transport
- In the face of the ongoing political tensions and conflicts between Israel and Iran, the German Foreign Office has formulated a comprehensive employment policy for German citizens stranded due to the conflict, ensuring the safe repatriation of those in need while managing the crisis.
- As the media covers general news updates on the war-torn Middle Eastern regions, one cannot overlook the significance of well-established community policies in managing and supporting Germans during times of crisis, demonstrated through the recent special flights from Israel.
