"Back Home, Finally"elated Israelis touch down in Frankfurt
Returning Individuals Find Reprieve in Their Home Countries After Leaving Israel
Throngs of Israelis, long trapped abroad due to the war with Iran, finally returned to Germany on a special flight. Landing in Frankfurt am Main's largest airport, relief filled the air as weary travelers stepped onto solid ground. Not everyone felt support from their government's efforts, according to some voices.
Stranded Amid Conflict:Hundreds of Germans who found themselves in Israel amid the war with Iran have now made their way back home, thanks to a special flight from the Jordanian capital Amman. As per the Foreign Office, there were 171 passengers on board.
Mixed Feelings:Arriving in Germany brought immense joy, but lingering concerns bubbled beneath the relief for some passengers. Lionel Reich, one of the returning travelers, expressed his relief but also concern for his friends in Tel Aviv, whose apartment was destroyed during the conflict. "It was stressful and tense in Tel Aviv," he shared. "I've never been so happy to be home, but I'm still nervous."
Daniel Halav echoed Lionel's sentiments, emphasizing his gratitude for returning home yet voicing criticism towards the German government: "I had to manage my way to Amman myself; we felt somewhat abandoned by the German government. I think we pay taxes to be looked after and protected in such situations."
Organized Evacuation:While other European nations like Poland had opted for organized convoys to Jordan to retrieve their stranded citizens, the German government chose a different strategy due to potential dangers associated with such trips. A spokesperson clarified that it was not a repatriation or evacuation operation but rather "commercial special flights" because regular airline services were insufficient.
Continued Operating Flights:More flights have been scheduled for the foreseeable future, depending on the situation. Upcoming flights include a flight planned for today, which has already been fully booked, and another flight scheduled soon. The Foreign Office encourages Germans to register on the "crisis preparedness list Elefand," with over 4000 Germans currently registered in Israel and over 1000 in Iran.
Vulnerable Situation:The tension in the region is extreme, as Israeli military operations in Iran continue and Iran continues shelling Israel, causing airspace over both nations to stay closed, cutting off any flight departure options. "Israeli airspace remains closed because of the military conflict with Iran," a spokesperson stated. The Foreign Office suggests traveling overland to Iran's neighboring countries of Armenia and Turkey, where borders are open and commercial flights are available.
- Israel
- War with Iran
- Germany
- Foreign Office
- Wars and Conflicts
- Amidst the ongoing war with Iran, some Israelis have voiced concerns towards the German government's employment policies, feeling abandoned during the crisis despite tax payments for such protection.
- As hundreds of Germans return from Israel, the Foreign Office continues to manage the situation, organizing commercial special flights under challenging circumstances due to the escalating war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
