Chaim V’Chessed continues to assist the community during the ongoing Iran crisis. Below is a comprehensive guide with the latest information on travel to and from Israel, evacuation options, and government services.
Inbound Travel to Israel
- Israeli airlines operating inbound flights: El Al, Israir, Arkia, Air Haifa.
- Priority is being given to passengers who previously held tickets; these travelers are being contacted and offered new reservations.
- Those without prior tickets, or with tickets on foreign airlines not currently flying, face very limited options. Available flights often have dates far in the future.
- Alternative routing: Passengers can travel from their home countries to a destination already served by one of the Israeli airlines, and then book a connecting flight into Israel on that airline.
- Passengers unable to secure direct flights to Israel may consider entry via Egypt or Jordan (see below).
Outbound Flights from Israel
- Israeli airlines are operating outbound flights, but flights are officially limited to 50 passengers per flight.
- Outbound flights have been restricted to one flight each hour.
- Priority is generally given to passengers whose original departure dates were earlier.
- Some passengers with existing tickets on El Al have had success arriving at Ben Gurion Airport and attempting to travel standby. There is no guarantee this will work, but it may be an option for those who are flexible.
- Travelers without existing tickets, or with suspended airline tickets, face limited availability and departure dates often weeks away.
- Chaim V’Chessed cannot place individuals on flights due to limited seats and high demand. Availability may improve once the initial backlog clears.
- Foreign citizens can apply for special humanitarian consideration using this link, though this approval has not commonly been helpful.
U.S. State Department Assistance
- The U.S. Department of State had been arranging no-cost evacuation flights for American citizens, but ceased these flights after a few days.
- The Department then made a special arrangement with El Al, but this too has been suspended.
- The State Department is providing bus travel from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan. Travelers need to arrange their own onward travel from Amman. While international flights are available out of Amman, the journey is expected to be arduous, requiring travelers to navigate long land transfers and border procedures. Passengers may register for the bus service at this link.
The “30-Day Rule”
- Due to limited flights, airlines have asked passengers to agree not to return immediately:
- In practice, these restrictions are unlikely to be enforced if hostilities cease.
- Many passengers have reported not being asked to sign any agreement before departure.
Travel Through Egypt or Jordan
- Egypt remains a viable exit route for those unable to obtain flights from Israel, though the journey is arduous and can be stressful. Official travel warnings exist for Sinai, but thousands have traveled successfully in recent days.
- Organized groups include: Emes Travel, Lelechet or Plan It Rite.
- Exit is possible through Amman, or Aqaba in Jordan. There have been difficulties bringing religious items such as tefillin into Jordan.
- Important: Chaim V’Chessed does not endorse any specific travel group or package, but emphasize that passengers should only travel through foreign countries with an recognized, organized group.
Government Offices & U.S. Embassy
Most government offices remain closed, causing challenges for citizens requiring services.
- Israel Population and Immigration Authority (Interior Ministry): Limited branches open, including Mevaseret and Har Homa. See more details here.
- Misrad Harishui (Licensing Bureau): Some branches are opened for in-person appointments during morning hours only, while some are only accepting phone appointments. The branches in Talpiot and Beit Shemesh are opened for in-person appointments. Binyan Klal is not opened to the public.
- Misrad HaChutz (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is closed for in-person requests for apostilles on Israeli documents. If an apostille is needed, one can request an appointment via email: apostille@mfa.gov.il.
- U.S. Embassy: Open for emergency passports, with no appointments needed, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM. See more details here.
Homefront Command Guidelines
- Click here to view the most recent Home Front Command guidelines, including instructions for safety, shelter, and emergency preparedness. These guidelines are updated regularly to reflect the current situation and ensure that residents have the latest information. Be sure to review them carefully and follow all recommendations to stay safe.
Chaim V’Chessed continues to monitor developments closely and is available during regular business hours to assist the English-speaking community in navigating this rapidly evolving situation.
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Chaim V’Chessed continues to monitor developments closely and provide updates as new information becomes available. Follow www.chaimvchessed.com or subscribe to receive our updates.
