Germans Witnessing a Surge of Israeli Visitors
A Casual Reflection: Returning Home Amidst the Chaos
From Tel Aviv's Tension to Frankfurt's Embrace - A Tumultuous Journey
kriegsfall Israel had left several Germans stranded in Tel Aviv, grappling with the uncertainties of war. However, relief washed over them as a special flight from Amman, Jordan, led them back to the safety of Frankfurt's largest airport on a stormy Wednesday evening. As the plane landed, Lionel Reich, one of the returning passengers, couldn't help but reflect on the recent days that had left him on edge.
"Living in Tel Aviv during the past few days was nerve-wracking, especially at night, with air raid alarms going off every two or three hours," Lionel shared, his voice betraying a lingering sense of fear. He spoke of the sounds of rocket impacts and the devastating news of friends whose apartments were destroyed, creating a bittersweet feeling of relief and concern all at once.
A Bittersweet Welcome
Daniel Halav, another returnee, couldn't help but express his joy at being back home. "I've never been so ecstatic to set foot back on German soil," he couldn't help but admit. Yet, he couldn't suppress his frustration with the federal government, claiming that they seemed to have abandoned the stranded Germans, leaving them to fend for themselves in securing their passage to Jordan. "Personally, I feel we were left hanging, which is disappointing, considering the taxes we pay," he asserted.
Other passengers reminisced about their "adventurous" journeys to Amman, highlighting the unforeseen challenges that came with the evacuation process.
In an effort to ensure the safety of its citizens, Germany opted against organizing convoy trips from Israel to the Jordanian airport, fearing it could create additional dangers [1]. Instead, the advice for those stranded was to adhere to the security guidelines set by the Israeli authorities and to avoid any overland travel or gatherings.
Beyond Amman
While Germany worked tirelessly to arrange special flights, other European countries, like Poland, organized convoys to help their citizens navigate the volatile landscape. The decision not to organize trips from Israel to the Jordanian airport underlined the Foreign Office's desire to minimize risks and ensure the safe passage of German nationals [2].
Furthermore, German authorities warned that this evacuation operation was not intended as a repatriation or an evacuation mission, but rather a series of commercial special flights, necessitated by the lack of viable options provided by airlines. The flights would continue if the situation stabilized and if there was a need [2].
Though the Thursday special flight was already fully booked, another one was being arranged.
In Israel, over 4,000 Germans were registered on the crisis prevention list Elefand, while in Iran, the number exceeded 1,000 registrations. Despite the escalating tension in the region, the foreign office reminded Germans to remain vigilant and to utilize the various transportation options available to them for their return to Germany.
Germans in Iran Evacuated Over Land
The Foreign Office advised Germans in Iran to exit the country via its open land borders with Armenia and Turkey. In particular cases, they could also cross into Azerbaijan. From all three nations, commercial flights were readily available for the remainder of the journey to Germany. The embassy in Tehran provided support to those seeking to depart, despite the ongoing military operations between Israel and Iran, which continued to disrupt regional airspace and flight options [3].
"Upon returning from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt, Daniel Halav expressed his frustration with the German government, claiming that they seemed to have abandoned stranded Germans, leaving them to secure their passage to Jordan."
"As the uncertainties of war left its mark on Lionel Reich's 'general-news' feed, he found solace in the thought of upcoming 'travel' to Germany, where he hoped to escape the tension and focus on a more peaceful 'lifestyle'."
