Germans welcoming Israeli returnees
Touchdown in Frankfurt: Reuniting Amidst Chaos
Frankfurt, Germany - Comeback with Challenges: Hundreds of Germans, stranded amidst the conflict between Israel and Iran, have touched down on German soil thanks to a special flight from Jordan. On a chilly Wednesday evening, the plane packed with 171 travelers landed in Frankfurt am Main's hulking airport.
Upon arrival, Lionel Reich shared his nerve-wracking experience in Tel Aviv. "The last few days have been tense and anxiety-inducing," he stated. Days filled with peace during the day while nights were punctuated by sirens and air raid alerts every few hours. The sounds of distant explosions and the fear for friends still living in the heart of Tel Aviv haunted him.
** lingering concerns**
Daniel Halav, another passenger from Tel Aviv, couldn't suppress a wide grin upon landing back home. Yet, he couldn't help but express his dissatisfaction with the German government. "We were quite on our own figuring out how to reach Amman," he stated. "I believe that's what tax money is for—to be supported by the government."
The German embassy in Tel Aviv temporarily shut its doors following Israel's attacks on Iran last Friday. Official communication about the Amman flights was less than timely. "I believe that's what you pay taxes for, to be looked after by the government," Halav added.
The Road Less Travelled
Initial reports mentioned that travel to Jordan was an "adventure". The journey mirrored an escape scene from a spy thriller. European countries like Poland arranged convoys for their nationals, but the German Foreign Office opted against organized road trips to Jordan – a move aimed at avoiding additional perils. They instead advised evacuees to follow Israel's security guidelines and stay informed of travel advisories.
A Foreign Office spokesperson had clarified that while these weren't traditional repatriation or evacuation flights, they were "commercial special flights" due to diminished airline options. The flights will continue as needed if the situation remains favorable.
Fly Away
Thursday's special flight was already fully booked, with another one in the works, as announced by the ministry. Evacuees are urged to register on the Elefand crisis preparedness list.
Germans in Iran: Leave Now
The ever-volatile Middle East situation remains tense. The airspace over Iran and Israel is closed, and all commercial flights are halted or severely disrupted due to ongoing military actions. The German Foreign Office advises Germans residing in Iran to use land transport to neighboring countries like Armenia, Turkey, and, in some cases, Azerbaijan, and then take commercial flights to Germany. The embassy in Tehran stands ready to provide assistance to those leaving Iran, wherever feasible.
Exodus from the Midst of Conflict
The special evacuation flights for Germans are a testament to the intense and unprecedented conflict between Israel and Iran. Direct flights seem unattainable, and the need for indirect routes further complicates the evacuation process, raising concerns about operational responsiveness and crisis preparedness.
"Despite the organised chaos, Daniel Halav felt that he and other passengers were on their own during the evacuation process, suggesting they could have benefited from a more proactive role by the German government in coordinating travel arrangements, similar to a lifestyle free from such hardships."
"After facing an unconventional travel route reminiscent of a spy thriller, many German evacuees are now adjusting to their lifestyle back home, hoping for a future where such precarious journeys can be truly left behind."
