Middle East Chaos: Europe Scrambling to Rescue Its Citizens from Israel and Beyond
Return Flight with German Expats Back in Israel
Forget the beach, Europe's stranded nationals in Israel are hitting the road to safety! With war looming in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, the Old World is revving up its engines to save its own.
Germany, among other European nations, has already made a run for it, sending special flights from Jordan to Berlin twice in one week - 171 on Wednesday, 174 on Thursday, and more on the way over the weekend. The host of passengers, totaling 345 greeted the motherland with arms wide open - a beacon of hope amid international uncertainty.
But the ride ain't over yet. The European scene is looking like a cavalry charge, as France, Italy, and Japan galvanize their forces. France plans to whisk their citizens from Iran to the relatively safer territories of Armenia and Turkey, boarding buses for the final leg of their journey to commercial flights home. For those stuck in Israel, buses are scheduled to roll out from the Israeli border towards airports in Amman (Jordan) and Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) come Friday morning.
Greece, with its cars packed with desperation and resolve, is already en route to Azerbaijan from Iran, working on further evacuation efforts. Italy aims to send 29 of its citizens home on charter flights from Egypt on June 22. Meanwhile, Japan is gearing up to deploy Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft to Djibouti, preparing to shuttle its citizens from both Israel and Iran to neighboring countries via buses.
Europe's not taking any prisoners when it comes to helping its own. The EU has taken the reins, coordinating evacuation requests from countries like Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece, and Poland, shoulders to the wheel. The EU is even willing to cover up to 75% of the transport costs, footing the bill for as many as 400 people evacuated via Jordan and Egypt so far.
As for the Germans stuck in Iran, overland routes are their best bet. The border crossings to Armenia, Turkey, and even Azerbaijan remain wide open, proving to be lifelines for those seeking safety. And the embassies on-site are right there, ready to lend a helping hand, 24/7.
So, if you're a German looking to flee the chaos, head to the Elefand crisis preparedness list. There are over 4,000 Germans registered who've stated they're in Israel, and well over a thousand in Iran. We'll see you on the other side, auf Wiedersehen!
Source: ntv.de, dpa
While the political landscape dictates a rising tension between Israel and Iran, lifestyle choices take a backseat as European citizens find themselves embarking on unprecedented travel journeys for safety. Despite the ongoing turmoil, general news reports a collective commitment from European nations, with the Commission yet to adopt a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens.
