"Back to Comforts" Germany-bound Israelis Rejoice at Frankfurt Landing
Returning individuals receive assistance upon arriving from Israel
Beaming faces and sighs of relief as Israelis finally returned to Germany amidst the tumultuous Middle Eastern crisis. Multiple special flights, organized by the German Foreign Office, brought back over 300 stranded travelers from Tel Aviv thanks to a unique routing through the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Leaving Tel Aviv with Uncertainties
The last few days in Tel Aviv have been tense and anxious. Lionel Reich, an Israeli-German, shares his experience, "During the day it was okay, but at night there was an air alert every two or three hours." He added, "I've never been so scared." With the fear slowly subsiding now in Germany, some friends back in Israel still deal with the aftermath of the Iran-Israel conflict. "I have friends who live in the center of Tel Aviv and their apartment was destroyed," said Reich.
Daniel Halav, another relieved traveler, stated, "I've never been so happy to be home." Nevertheless, he felt unsupported by the German government during the transit to Amman. "In my opinion, we were left a bit alone," he reported. Initially, the German embassy in Tel Aviv was closed for several days, and the news about the flights from Amman came on short notice, hardly giving time to prepare.
Crossing Challenging Terrain
The German Foreign Office intentionally avoided organized trips from Israel to the Jordanian airport due to additional risks that could be associated with convoy travel. They advised travelers to follow the security guidelines provided by Israeli authorities and avoid gatherings.
With transportation scattered across Israel, traveling to Amman proved an adventurous journey for many. Despite the challenges, the restless travelers finally boarded the special flights back to Germany. "The journey to Amman was challenging, but it's worth it to be home now," explained a returning traveler.
Crisis Preparedness and Future Evacuations
The Ministry continues to plan more flights to help anyone in need. As a precaution, the German Foreign Office encourages those residing in conflict zones to register on the crisis preparedness list, Elefand. Currently, over 4000 Germans are registered in Israel and over 1000 in Iran.
Source: ntv.de, mau/dpa
- Israel
- Israel War
- Frankfurt am Main
- Foreign Office
- Wars and Conflicts
- The German Foreign Office has drafted community and employment policies to address the unique challenges faced by Israelis returning from conflict-ridden regions, such as completing immigration processes and securing employment due to the disruptions caused by unforeseen wars-and-conflicts like the recent one in the Middle East.
- As a response to the influx of Germans returning from war-torn countries, the German government is keeping a close eye on politics and general-news reports, particularly regarding Middle Eastern conflicts, to ensure timely crisis preparedness measures, such as updating the crisis preparedness list, 'Elefand,' and organizing special flights for stranded citizens.
