Australia working on plans to assist stranded Australians
The Australian Government is trying to organise a bus to take stranded Australians in Israel to Jordan, but it's been described as a 'dump and run bus'.
An Australian couple who managed to leave Israel through Jordan without any help from the Australian government have described the experience as “terrifying”.
Kimberley Holmes and her husband were in Tel Aviv when Israel’s war with the Iranian regime began, but they said the Australian consulate was not contactable all weekend.
So in desperation, they joined a group organised by an American woman at their hotel whose company had arranged an exit through Jordan.
“It was such a terrifying experience because it was so unregulated,” Holmes told The AJN.
After frantically waitlisting themselves on three flights out of Jordan, they eventually managed to get the last two seats on a plane to Madrid.
“We literally had to run for the plane,” she said.
After scarce information, the Australian government has informed Australians stranded in Israel that there are plans for assisted transport departures from Israel via land border crossings into Jordan, but onward travel home will not be included.
According to Israel’s Tourism Ministry there are currently 38,000 tourists in Israel, while at least 1,180 Australians have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for government assistance to leave. They received communication from DFAT on Tuesday informing them that arrangements are being finalised to organise bus transport through private companies from Israel to Jordan.
“To use these arrangements, you must make your own way to any meeting point (likely in Tel Aviv),” said DFAT.
“We are working to finalise transport arrangements at this stage. Due to the fluid security situation, any plans may be subject to change at short notice.”
But after arriving in Jordan, Australians will be responsible for organising their own travel home. Stranded Australians have labelled it a “dump and run bus” and are concerned about their safety in Jordan.
“Depending on your circumstances, financial assistance through a Traveller Loan may be available to help cover flight costs and accommodation,” said DFAT.
A number of high-profile Australians found themselves stuck in Israel at the outbreak of the war with Iran, including Erin Molan and Nova Peris. Both had travelled there to receive honorary awards – Molan an honorary doctorate from Reichman University for her contribution to the State of Israel and Peris received the Technion President’s Award for her fight against antisemitism.
“Like so many here, we’re just doing what Israelis do every day,” Peris posted.
“Seeking shelter, staying strong and praying for peace.”
While Molan has remained in Israel to report from the ground and conduct interviews with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Peris has returned to Australia. It’s understood she made her way to Jordan before leaving the region.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong told The AJN that the Government “understands this is distressing time for Australians in the region, and for their loved ones back home”.
“The safety of Australians in our priority,” said the spokesperson.
“Airspace is closed in Iran, Israel, and Iraq and there remain intermittent airspace closures in Jordan. This is because of the risk to commercial aircraft from the strikes.
“DFAT’s consular team is working to assist Australians to safety, via land and air when it is safe to do so.
“We continue to communicate directly with registered Australians with important updates, so it is important that those registered keep their details up to date.”
Israel’s Tourism Ministry has announced that it will assist tourists currently in Israel to register for specially coordinated departure flights from Israel once they are available and will coordinate the flights with airlines.
Meanwhile, 1500 American Birthright participants who were in Israel set sail for Cyprus with the help of both the Israeli government and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The ship transporting the participants, the Crown Iris, is a luxury Israeli cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime. The 11-storey ship set sail from Ashdod Port and arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus, after a 13-hour voyage. The cruise ship was escorted by the Israeli Navy to ensure its safety.
Upon arrival in Cyprus, the American participants will be flown to Florida in four wide-bodied planes chartered by DeSantis.
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