Air bridge for the Romanians in Israel

Nearly 1,000 Romanians have returned to the country following terrorist attacks on Israel

Ştefan Stoica, 10.10.2023, 14:00

Shortly
after the attack by the Hamas terrorist group on Israel, the Romanian
authorities stepped in to assist the Romanian nationals in that country who
were seeking repatriation. As many as 900 Romanian citizens had been
repatriated by Monday night from Israel, on flights operated by the national
airline TAROM and by another, private company.

The
foreign ministry announced that a consular team from the Romanian Embassy in Tel
Aviv and the Romanian representative office in Ramallah (West Bank), as well as
a team from the ministry’s emergency response unit, are still at the Ben Gurion
Airport to provide assistance to the Romanians there.

In
an interview to Radio Romania, the foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu said
further flights were scheduled to bring back the other Romanian nationals in Israel.
The number was put at 800, but figures may change as a growing number of
Romanians announced their presence in the conflict area and requested the
foreign ministry’s help, either via the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv or the
Consulate General in Haifa.

Here
is the foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu with details about the region and
Romania’s position:

Luminiţa
Odobescu: The situation in Israel at the moment is rather serious. As you have
seen, on October 7 Israel declared war. The Romanian authorities have firmly
condemned the attacks on the State of Israel, including civilians, including
hostages. The images are heart-breaking. Romania voiced its solidarity with Israel.
We have reiterated our support for Israel’s sovereign right to self-defence. We
would like to take this opportunity as well to send our condolences to the
families of the victims and quick recovery wishes to the wounded. Romania has
called for all hostages to be freed as soon as possible and has condemned
terrorism in all its forms. In fact, the entire international community has
responded quickly and there have been countless messages of solidarity with Israel.

Luminiţa
Odobescu also said the National Association of Travel Agencies and the Romanian
Patriarchate have been contacted in order to help identify the Romanian
nationals who were in Israel as tourists or pilgrims.

As
for those who are still in Israel or in the region, Luminiţa Odobescu urged
them on the one hand to contact the foreign ministry, if they haven’t done this
yet, and on the other hand to observe the instructions of local authorities, because
the security situation is very serious, and when necessary to leave that
country. Not least, the ministry urges those who have trips planned to Israel
to reschedule their travels. (AMP)