Challenges in Repatriating Stranded Israelis Amid Wartime Restrictions

Approximately 20,000 Israelis remain stranded abroad, primarily in Southeast Asia and North America, following the outbreak of war. Since the conflict began, around 100,000 Israelis have successfully returned to Israel, according to the Ministry of Transport. The repatriation of the remaining citizens is complicated by their wide geographic distribution and the need for long-haul aircraft, which can accommodate between 270 and 320 passengers.

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Repatriation efforts are significantly hindered by wartime regulations at Ben Gurion Airport. Authorities have imposed strict limitations on both arrivals and departures to minimize the time aircraft spend on the ground, which is deemed a security risk during alerts. Currently, only one wide-body flight is permitted to land per hour, or alternatively, two narrow-body flights. Additionally, outbound flights are restricted to around 100 passengers due to security considerations. These measures have created a bottleneck, as it is estimated that approximately 65 to 70 flights would be necessary to bring all remaining Israelis home.

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To expedite the return of stranded citizens, Israeli officials are concentrating operations around key regional hubs, particularly in Southeast Asia. The Ministry of Transport has announced an increase in commercial flights to major destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket, with an estimated 8,000 Israelis expected to return as part of this operation. Meanwhile, a separate arrangement with the United States has facilitated the evacuation of American citizens stranded in Israel through special El Al flights to New York. These flights are allowed to carry larger numbers of passengers, a notable exception to the general restrictions.

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The decision to prioritize the repatriation of U.S. citizens has drawn criticism from various quarters. The Israel Open Sky Civil Headquarters has argued that the restrictions on outbound flights violate the rights of Israeli citizens to leave the country, especially when exceptions are made for American passengers. The Israel Airports Authority has clarified that the exemptions for U.S. flights were made in response to a request from the U.S. government and are not indicative of a broader policy shift.

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Transportation Minister Miri Regev has indicated that the skies will be reopened for Israeli citizens as soon as it is deemed safe. She noted that wide-body aircraft have been approved for full-capacity flights, initially for U.S. citizens, with plans to integrate Israeli passengers depending on ongoing assessments of the security situation. The operational framework at Ben Gurion Airport is continuously evaluated, with adjustments made based on missile activity and security considerations.

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• “Even when passengers are already seated on the plane, we keep the jet bridge staffed. If there’s an alert, we can reconnect immediately and evacuate everyone to a protected area.” — Udi Bar-Oz, Airport Director

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• “It’s not worth risking even one passenger’s life for a flight,” Kedmi said.” — Sharon Kedmi, Airports Authority CEO

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• “I closed the skies, and I will reopen them safely as soon as possible. I hope some of you will be able to fly for Passover.” — Miri Regev, Transportation Minister

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The complexities surrounding the repatriation of stranded Israelis highlight the challenges faced by authorities in balancing security concerns with the need to facilitate the return of citizens during a time of conflict.

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