Relief at Last: Germans Return from Israel's Conflict Zone
Good News for Israel Returnees: Aid Packages Announced to Assist Settlers Upon Their Arrival
Jubilant Germans disembarked from a special flight in Frankfurt am Main, finding solace after days stuck in Tel Aviv amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The flight, organized by the Foreign Office, brought 171 weary travelers back to Germany from the Jordanian capital Amman.
Personal Accounts"The last few days in Tel Aviv were nerve-wracking and tense," said Lionel Reich upon arrival. "During the day, it was bearable, but at night, there was an air raid alarm every two or three hours." Reich spoke of his fear due to the audible rocket impacts and the relief of being back in Germany. Yet, he expressed lingering concerns for friends who lived in the heart of Tel Aviv, whose apartment was destroyed.
Another traveler, Daniel Halav, admitted, "I've never been so happy to be home," although he criticized the federal government. "We had to fend for ourselves to make it to Amman. In my opinion, we deserve better care from our government," he said, feeling let down by the late announcement of the flights from Amman.
Alternative Evacuation MethodsWhile some European countries organized convoys to Jordan for their citizens, the German Foreign Office opted against commissioned trips from Israel to the airport in Jordan. This decision aimed to minimize potential risks posed by organized trips, as advised against by Israeli authorities. The Foreign Office instead urged travelers to adhere to security instructions from the Israeli authorities.
The Foreign Office referred to these flights as "commercial special flights" as the flight options of commercial airlines were insufficient. These flights would continue "as the situation allows and there is a need," the ministry stated. However, the first flight booked for Thursday was already fully booked, with a second flight on standby, as announced by the ministry.
German Foreign Office's Crisis Preparedness ListThe Foreign Office encourages Germans to register on its crisis preparedness list Elefand. As of the time, over 4000 Germans were registered in Israel, with the number for Iran surpassing 1000 registrations. This initiative demonstrates the German government's commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens amidst the volatile and dangerous circumstances in the Middle East.
Travel Labyrinth in the Middle EastThe entire region remains in a state of high tension and volatility, with Israeli military operations in Iran continuing, and Iranian shelling on Israel not abating. Consequently, airspace in these two countries remains closed, suspending many commercial flights. Germans in Iran are advised to travel to neighboring countries like Armenia, Turkey, or Azerbaijan via open border crossings and continue to Germany with commercial flights. The German embassy in Tehran offers support for these travelers, if possible, through direct communication with Iranian authorities.
Source: ntv.de, mau/dpa
[3] Jewish Virtual Library: Israel's Relations with Iran. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2025, from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/israels-relations-with-iran
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the German Foreign Office's crisis response, considering the importance of lifestyle, travel, politics, and general-news, in light of the volatile Middle East situation, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Despite their relief upon returning home, several Germans expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government's handling of the evacuation process, citing personal accounts of hardship and a lack of proper care.
