Home at Last: German and Israeli Travelers Return Home Amid Ongoing Tensions
Assistance for Individuals Repatriating from Israel
Delighted, yet with a tinge of apprehension, travelers spilled off the special flight from Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday night. The German Foreign Office had worked tirelessly to arrange these flights for Germans and Israelis stranded in the Middle East due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
Landing in Frankfurt am Main, the largest German airport, relief washed over 171 passengers. Many had spent days stuck in Tel Aviv, their concerns mounting as the conflict between Israel and Iran grew more intense.
Personal Perspectives: Relief Mixed with Anxiety
Lionel Reich, one of the passengers, spoke of the stress and tension that filled their days in Tel Aviv. "Every day it was just fine, but at night there was an air raid every two or three hours," he recounted. The sounds of rocket impacts and the fear they invoked stayed with him, even as he stepped onto German soil. His relief was evident, but his worry remained. "I have friends who live in the center of Tel Aviv, and their apartment was destroyed. That's not a good feeling."
Daniel Halav, another passenger, couldn't hide his joy at returning home. "I've never been so happy to be home," he exclaimed. Yet, he too had criticisms for the German government. "We had to take care of ourselves to get to Amman. From my point of view, we were a bit left alone," he shared. He felt that the German embassy in Tel Aviv and the government should've done more to help stranded citizens.
The Decision to Evacuate: Safety First
Organized trips from Israel to the airport in Jordan were considered but ultimately rejected by the Foreign Office due to the potential dangers such trips could create. Instead, they advised individuals to heed the security instructions of the Israeli authorities and make their way to the Jordanian border on their own.
The flights were not a repatriation or evacuation action, as stated by a Foreign Office spokesperson, but rather "commercial special flights" due to the limited exit options offered by the airlines. More flights will continue as the situation allows and if there's a need.
Logistical Challenges: A Bumpy Road
The journey to Amman was these travelers' own responsibility, leading to logistical hurdles and some frustration among evacuees. However, the government has made efforts to prioritize the safety and well-being of its embassy staff in the region while standing in solidarity with Israel.
Other European countries have organized convoy transportation to Jordan for their citizens, but the German government chose to coordinate directly with Jordan to ensure that Germans who left Israel by land could return home. The Foreign Minister emphasized the government's commitment to helping those able to leave Israel and ensuring that every departing individual who wants to can do so.
Future Flights: Staying Hopeful
As of Thursday, another flight had evacuated 174 more passengers, and more flights are planned for the weekend. The ministry announced that efforts are underway to organize additional flights to accommodate those wishing to return home.
To help facilitate these evacuations, the Foreign Office is urging Germans to register on its crisis preparedness list, Elefand. As of current records, over 4,000 Germans in Israel have registered, along with over 1,000 individuals in Iran.
Looking Ahead: A Powder Keg Mixed with Uncertainty
The region remains volatile, with the conflict between Israel and Iran continuing. Closed airspace over both countries has restricted flight departure options, leaving ground travel as the only feasible means of escape. The German Foreign Office advises those in Iran to travel overland to neighboring countries like Armenia, Turkey, or Azerbaijan to continue their journey to Germany.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
[1] ntv.de. (2025, June 18). Special flights from Amman to Frankfurt for Germans and Israelis stuck in Israel. Retrieved 26 June 2025, from https://www.ntv.de/leben-stil/Iran-Israel-Krise-Sonderfluege-aus-Israel-und-Jordan-gefolgt-immerdem-engere-News-Politik-100270260.html[2] Neumann, J., & Wortmann, F. (2025, June 18). Special flights from Amman to Frankfurt for German and Israeli travelers. Retrieved 26 June 2025, from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/fuehrungsgrille-4-6-2025-130114249.html[3] Rund, C. (2025, June 18). Germans in Israel able to return home: Foreign Office. Retrieved 26 June 2025, from https://www.wochenspiegel.de/politik/news/Iran--Israel-Konflikt-Deutsche-Ausreise-aus-Israel-als-Sonderfluege-per-Jordan-wird-koordiniert-a-44851650.html
The Commission, in light of the ongoing political tensions between Israel and Iran, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as concerns over potential nuclear escalations rise. Amid the relief and joy experienced by resuming a "normal" lifestyle at home, passengers remain vigilant, mindful of the ongoing uncertain situation in the Middle East.
