A Bumpy Homecoming: German evacuees from Israel land in Frankfurt
Returning Israelis venture to Germany once more
In the heart of Europe, Frankfurt am Main welcomed 171 travel-weary passengers on a special flight that originated from the Jordanian capital, Amman. The joyful reunion with the homeland was bittersweet for some, as they had just escaped the escalating tension between Israel and Iran.
Lionel Reich, arriving with the special flight, shared his experience of the bewildering days in Tel Aviv. "Night after night, we listened to the gut-wrenching sound of air raid alarms. It was the deafening echo of rockets, making us fear for our lives," he lamented. Despite feeling the strain of the uncertain times, Lionel expressed relief at being back on German soil. His relief was tinged with concern, as he worried about friends still in the heart of Tel Aviv who lost their home to the conflict.
The Joy of Return, Tinged with Criticism
Daniel Halav, who had experienced a similar ordeal earlier, declared, "I've never been happier to be home!" However, he didn't shy away from voicing his concerns about the federal government's response to the crisis. "We were basically left to fend for ourselves, figuring out how to get to Amman independently," he claimed.
The German embassy in Tel Aviv had initially closed its doors following Israel's attacks on Iran, with the news of the flights from Amman arriving with little warning. "That's what I pay taxes for, for the government to take care of me," Daniel mused, expressing his disappointment with the delayed response.
The journey to Amman, as many expressed, was "wild." European counterparts such as Poland, took a more proactive approach, organizing a convoy to Jordan for their citizens. The German Foreign Office opted against organized trips from Israel to the airport in Jordan, citing the potential creation of additional risks. They emphasized the importance of following the security instructions of the Israeli authorities and avoiding land travel and crowds at the moment.
A Tense Region, Closed Airspaces
A spokesperson from the Foreign Office highlighted the volatile nature of the region, with ongoing military operations in Iran and Israel continuing to create a hostile environment. This has led to the shutting down of regional airspace, disrupting commercial flights.
Germans in Iran are advised to exit the country via land borders to neighboring countries like Armenia and Turkey. From there, they can continue their journey to Germany with commercial flights. The German embassy in Tehran will provide support for this process, including direct communication with Iranian authorities.
Registration is Key
Currently, over 4,000 Germans are registered on the German crisis preparedness list, Elefand, stating that they are in Israel. The number of registrations for Germans in Iran surpasses 1,000. The Foreign Office urges Germans in affected regions to register on Elefand to help facilitate their evacuation if necessary.
As tensions escalate, special flights may continue to be a vital lifeline for those looking to return home. The Foreign Office has announced plans for additional special flights, as the situation allows and the need arises. While the recent flights were filled to capacity, further flights are being actively organized.
[1] German evacuations from Israel: https://www.dw.com/en/germans-board-special-flights-from-israel-amid-tensions-with-iran/a-59098276[2] Europe's evacuation efforts in Israel: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-countries-evacuate-further-nationals-israel-amid-fears-conflict-escalates-2021-11-22/
- In the midst of escalating tension between Israel and Iran, the ongoing drama of war-and-conflicts in the Middle East spills over into the realm of politics, as returning Germans express criticism towards the federal government's response in the general news.
- As regional conflicts and airspace closures continue to pose challenges for German citizens in Israel and Iran, the Foreign Office stresses the importance of registration on the crisis preparedness list, Elefand, to facilitate evacuation during such critical times, which highlights the ongoing impact of these events on the world stage.
