Increased Departures of Latvians from Israel This Weekend
**Latvian Nationals in Israel: Evacuation Updates and Available Routes**
In the wake of regional security tensions, Latvian nationals in Israel are being evacuated through various means. Here's a summary of the current status:
**Evacuation Flights**
As of June 21, a total of 28 Latvian nationals have departed Israel via evacuation flights organized by Lithuania and Slovakia through Jordan. An additional 13 individuals have chosen to leave independently. On June 22, a planned evacuation flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Chisinau, Moldova, is scheduled for more Latvian nationals. This flight is being organized by the Embassy of Ukraine to Israel and the Embassy of Ukraine to Egypt.
**Available Routes**
For those looking to depart Israel, two main routes are currently available:
- **Land Route to Jordan**: Travellers can make their way overland to Jordan, where they can obtain visas at the border and continue their journey. However, the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein crossing is temporarily closed to travellers, while the Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein crossing operates from 09:00-16:00.
- **Egypt Route**: Flights from Egypt are also an option, such as the one mentioned for Moldova. The Taba border crossing to Egypt remains open 24/7.
**Israeli Airspace**
Israeli airlines have been permitted to resume outbound flights under strict security conditions. However, these flights are subject to specific restrictions and priority for humanitarian cases. Evacuation flights for specific nationalities, like Latvians, are coordinated separately by their respective embassies and partner countries.
**Support and Contacts**
The Embassy of Latvia in Israel remains closed due to the state of emergency in Israel. However, Latvian diplomats continue to carry out their duties, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' emergency helpline for Latvian nationals in the affected region is 371 26337711. Emails can be sent to [email protected]. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism is offering informational and coordination support to foreign tourists currently in Israel who wish to leave the country.
According to official data, 6,062 Latvian nationals reside in Israel, and 3 in Iran. Voluntary registration for this support can be done at https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/[email protected]?displang=en&gbxid=0. It's important to note that 11 of the registered individuals are short-term travellers.
Stay informed and stay safe.
The current political situation in the region has caused EU countries to organize evacuation flights for Latvian nationals residing in Israel. These flights, such as the one scheduled from Sharm El Sheikh to Chisinau, are being organized by embassies, like the Embassy of Ukraine to Israel and the Embassy of Ukraine to Egypt.
Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in certain regions, tourism news has reported that general news regarding evacuations of Latvian citizens in Israel is dominating headlines.
