Special flight: Israel returnees ended up in Germany

Home with obstacles: Several Germans who were stuck in Israel due to the war with Iran have been brought back to Germany with a special flight. The flight from the Jordanian capital Amman landed on the largest German airport in Frankfurt am Main on Wednesday evening. According to the Federal Foreign Office, it was 171 people.

“The last few days in Tel Aviv were stressful and tense. It went during the day, but at night there was an air alarm every two or three hours,” said Lionel Reich after his arrival. He reported to be again in Germany due to the rocket strikes to be heard and the relief. However, the concern for him remains: “I have friends who live in the center of Tel Aviv and their apartment was destroyed. It is not a good feeling.”

Daniel Halav, who also previously stuck in Tel Aviv, said: “I think I’ve never been so happy to be at home.” However, he also criticized the federal government. “We had to take care of how we came to Amman. From my point of view we were left a bit alone,” he reported.

Initially, the German embassy in Tel Aviv was closed for several days after the attacks of Israel on Iran last Friday. The news of the flights from Amman came at very short notice. “I think you also pay taxes that the government takes care of you”.

Others reported the journey to Amman was “adventurous”.

Other European countries such as Poland organized a convoy to Jordan for their compatriots. The Federal Foreign Office said it decided against organized trips from Israel to the airport in Jordan that this could otherwise be done. The first advice to those affected on site is to follow the security information of the Israeli authorities. “And they always express that they basically advise against overland trips and human accumulation,” said a spokesman.

A spokesman had previously said that it was not a return or evacuation. They are “commercial special flights” because the airlines are not sufficient. The flights are therefore continued “if the situation continues to allow it and the need is there”.

A special flight is also planned for Thursday, but is already fully booked. Another is planned, as the Ministry announced. The Federal Foreign Office calls Germans to register on their crisis list of Elefand.

Over 4,000 Germans are currently registered on the German crisis priority list Elefand who indicate that they are in Israel. In Iran, this number amounts to more than 1,000 registrations.

Germans in Iran are advised to leave

The situation in the region is tense and high -volatile, said the spokesman. “The military operations of the Israelis in Iran continue, as well as Iranian shelling on Israel. In this respect, airspace is also closed over these two countries and there are no exit options by plane.”

Germans in Iran advises the Federal Foreign Office to travel to the neighboring countries of Armenia and Türkiye. The border crossings there are open. In individual cases, an exit across the border to Azerbaijan is also possible. From all three countries you can continue to travel to Germany with commercial flights. “Germans should use these opportunities to continue traveling to Germany,” it said. “Our message in Tehran supports the departure, if possible, for example through direct contact with the Iranian authorities.”