As we continue to daven for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael amid the ongoing war with Iran, we remain committed to help Americans trying to return to the U.S. and facing uncertainty.
The sudden closure of Israeli airspace has disrupted travel for thousands of people including yeshiva and seminary students and those with urgent medical or personal needs. In this time of war, our sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael demands coordinated action.
Our organizations have been in touch with the White House, U.S. State Department, and Israeli Government as well as U.S. and Israeli Embassies and have utilized global partnerships developed through past crises. With Hashem’s help, we remain fully engaged with government officials to address every viable option.
While commercial flights remain suspended, repatriation flights into Ben Gurion Airport resumed today. Outgoing repatriation flights for tourists will begin imminently. Details will be released in the days ahead.
For U.S. Citizens:
Enroll in the State Department’s STEP program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for urgent embassy alerts and to be notified of possible evacuation flights here.
For tourists in Israel:
Register with the Ministry of Tourism’s evacuation form to be considered for coordinated departure flights if/when they become available.
As part of this effort, Amudim is collecting information from U.S. citizens who are in Israel and hoping to depart. Click here to access the Amudim form.
We advise those looking to depart to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice.
Travel via Alternate Routes
If considering leaving Israel through Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, or other unconventional routes, weigh all potential outcomes and ensure your route is properly coordinated, legal, and safe. There are currently travel advisories from both the U.S. and Israeli Government regarding travel to Jordan and Egypt.
We have received many calls from distressed travelers. The following tips may help avoid some of the stressful situations that occurred.
- Bring food for 48 hours – pack for the unexpected.
- Follow all instructions from officials, trip leaders and security personnel. Comply with luggage allowance as excess luggage may not be allowed.
- Remain calm and respectful. Confrontations can result in delays or denial of entry.
- Expect the unexpected – delays, reroutes, and denied entries can occur without warning.
For Egypt and Jordan:
- Act and dress discreetly and avoid visible religious identifiers. In Jordan, tefillin must be packed inside luggage.
- Do not form public minyanim or engage in visibly religious activity.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
4 Responses
“We would like to reiterate that a Level 4 travel warning applies to the areas of the Sinai and Jordan, reflecting a high threat. We recommend avoiding arrival to these areas. These warnings are especially important during this tense period.”
Why would anyone not listen to this, is your family not important enough to you that you would put yourself at risk of never coming home?!
To ItsMeNotYou – Israel is also a Level 4 travel advisory. Not sure why you’re judging people who have family obligations, jobs, medical needs, etc. There are many reasons why people feel the need to return home, and this despite the fact that the trips via Jordan and Egypt are extremely difficult. But as long as you decided that there was no reason that someone wouldn’t follow the advisory. They should have consulted with you and laid out all the facts before making any decisions.
Notwithstanding all of the above:- Going to Germany even after 8 decades, is infinitely worse than going to Egypt or/&Jordan
I’m staying – period. I’d rather be in a place directly under HKB”H’s hashgacha – even when he decides we deserve a slap.
אֶרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר ה’ אֱלֹ-הֶיךָ דֹּרֵשׁ אֹתָהּ: תָּמִיד, עֵינֵי ה’ אֱלֹ-הֶיךָ בָּהּ–מֵרֵשִׁית הַשָּׁנָה, וְעַד אַחֲרִית שָׁנָה.
an Israeli Yid