German Government Airlifts 64 Citizens from Israel in Diplomatic Evacuation
German evacuation by the Luftwaffe from Israel with 64 individuals on board
The recent Middle East conflict has forced the German government to arrange a safe escape for 64 of its citizens who couldn't secure travel on their own. This "diplomatic evacuation" was carried out by two Airbus A400M aircraft of the Luftwaffe. The travelers, mostly families with children and vulnerable individuals, were chosen due to the current unstable situation in the region.
In the past few days, the Foreign Office has previously arranged two special flights to Jordan, allowing 345 Germans to return to Germany. However, those wishing to leave still had to organize their journey to Jordan, a challenge that proved impossible for the individuals airlifted this time.
Officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Office insisted that this evacuation was not a military operation. Rather, it was a diplomatic effort that relied on negotiation and coordination with other countries and international partners. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised the soldiers for their successful execution of the last-minute operation.
As conflicting parties continue to battle it out in the region, the boundary crossings from Israel to Jordan and Egypt remain open, and flights are available at short notice. Israel has also promised to reopen its airspace for select commercial flights based on the situation.
It's worth noting that a diplomatic evacuation differs from a military evacuation in method and scope. A diplomatic evacuation involves governments facilitating and coordinating the safe departure of their citizens through consular and diplomatic resources, while a military evacuation entails deploying military forces and assets for direct extraction from conflict zones. Germany's selection of a diplomatic approach in this instance suggests a preference for managing the situation through peaceful means and collaboration with EU allies, as tensions rise in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Sources: ntv.de, jwu/AFP
- Bundeswehr
- Middle East Conflict
- Ministry of Defense
- Foreign Office
- Boris Pistorius
- Israel War
- Israel
[1] Announcement of EU measures to help Europeans evacuate the Middle East, European External Action Service, (2023, January 20). [https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/54565/eu-measures-helping-europeans-evacuate-middle-east_en]
The Commission, in response to the Middle East conflict, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as part of the wider EU measures to help Europeans evacuate the region. This issue was raised amidst politics and general news, with the situation in the Middle East being a hot topic for international discussions.
