Getting Home Soon: Israel's Plan to Bring Back Thousands of Stranded Citizens Abroad
Israel set to repatriate tens of thousands of citizens currently overseas, amidst the ongoing global travel restrictions.
Gear up for some exciting news, folks! According to the latest buzz, Israeli airlines are gearing up to bring back tens of thousands of Israeli citizens stranded abroad in the next three days. Ynet reported this tidbit, citing insider info from the Ministry of Transport and Defense. However, there's no formal confirmation just yet.
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, the number of Israelis affected is around 150,000. And guess who's not just sitting idly by? An Israeli shipping company is stepping in to help transport people back to Israel by sea, according to Transportation Minister Miri Regev. The Jerusalem Post also hinted that they'll be helping out foreigners who wish to leave Israel.
So, who's flying the plane? El Al, Israel's largest airline, is accepting registrations from the stranded passengers whose flights to Israel got canceled due to the recent airspace closure. It's all because of the ongoing tension with Iran, which has left the country with no flights coming in or out for the time being.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
Behind the Scenes:
- The Timeline: Initial reports suggest the repatriation flights may start on or after June 19, 2025. Yet, another source reveals that the operations could begin within the next 72 hours from June 16, 2025.
- The Transport: El Al, in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation, is organizing emergency flights to repatriate the estimated 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad. El Al and its charter subsidiary, Sundor, have created an online registration portal for passengers whose flights were axed. However, no updates regarding the use of sea transport have been disclosed yet.
Latest Updates:
- The repatriation initiative followed the closure of Israel's airspace due to ballistic missile threats, leaving many Israeli citizens high and dry[2].
- The Israeli government is urging patience as they deal with the situation and addressing the concern of those stranded, stating that there's no need to panic[2].
- As part of the repatriation efforts, temporary visitors have been authorized to depart from Israel to return to their home countries[2].
Tackling Challenges:
- The initial launch of the registration portal faced some technical hiccups, but the system was quickly restored[2].
- Amidst the discussions of these repatriation flights, it's worth pondering the community's policy concerning vocational training for those who might find employment gaps upon their return.
- The announcement of Emergency relief flights and Salvador's role in transporting people by sea has certainly stirred up some political discourse and general-news headlines.
