Haifa residents are stranded abroad during wartime – and the state is not coming to their aid – Israel-Iran war

(live here) – Since the start of Operation "Am Kalavi," which symbolizes the outbreak of open war between Israel and Iran, thousands of Haifa residents have found themselves in the midst of a traumatic experience: they are stranded outside the country's borders, sometimes without money, without a plan, far from their children, animals, or parents - and above all, with no idea when and how they will return home. Instead of navy ships sailing to collect civilians or military transport planes evacuating families from civilian concentration centers in Europe - the state has chosen to remain silent. The government's place is being filled by private citizens who are running voluntary rescue initiatives - while various government ministries insist on not approving the departure of the rescue boats from Cyprus.

A sudden operation leaves civilians helpless overseas

Friday, June 13, 2025, instantly became a day that will be remembered as a turning point in the lives of tens of thousands of Israelis who were abroad at that moment. The missiles began to fall, the skies closed, the planes stopped taking off, and landings were canceled one after another. Within a few hours, tens of thousands of people landed in a new reality – they cannot return home. Those who were in Greece, Italy, or Portugal received a message from the consulates to get as close to Israel as possible – and the practical meaning is: Get to Cyprus, we will try to rescue you.

Not a vacation, but a lingering anxiety in the heart of Europe

But despite the instructions, the roads are blocked. The State of Israel, which even in normal times does not excel in bureaucratic compassion, is once again showing itself to be helpless. Thousands arrived in Larnaca, Rhodes and Limassol, only to discover that the boats ready to set off for the shores of Israel are waiting for approvals that never arrive. Thus they dry out in the sun, some without a place to stay, others with a dwindling bank account, and their only hope is that an Excel file compiled by good citizens will do the job that the Israeli government was supposed to do.

Citizens organize their own rescue – the state is paralyzed

Mordi Gefen, a longtime Haifa resident and member of the Carmel Shaytay community, points out the absurdity: “Over 70 people are standing in the sun, like ducks in a shooting range, just because border controllers are not willing to come out of the office and approve the voyage.” According to him, none of those responsible are responding, no one is reporting, and those who are willing to go to sea – whether on their own initiative or to bring back relatives – simply are not given permission.

He emphasizes that these are people who continue to come to Cyprus from all over Europe in the hope of boarding a ship. In the meantime, no authority in Israel has bothered to establish an evacuation team, issue organized procedures, or at least accompany the volunteers. "I am ready to sail for 24 hours, bring back my friend's daughter, and a week later come back and bring my daughter and grandchildren. I don't want money - I want my family to have a home. And for the country to wake up."

Networks are exploding – the government is silent

On social media, the public outcry is thundering. WhatsApp and Telegram groups are filled with calls for help, navigation instructions, emergency organizations – and all this without any coordination or cooperation from government ministries. Meanwhile, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Transportation are silent. No official announcement has been made, no aid system has been established.

And it's not just Israelis who spent luxury vacations. Many of them, as one of the passengers described, came abroad for only a few days. "They're an elderly couple who flew to Rome, it was supposed to be a short vacation," says Maayan, their neighbor, "but she says she's suffering. Her daughter is here, with small children, and she sets her cell phone to receive Home Front Command alerts to know when her children are entering the shelter. She can't calm down. She says it's the nightmare of her life."

Young family crisis: "We can't afford it financially"

The damage is not only psychological – it is also economic. Young families, who saved every shekel for a short five-day vacation, find themselves stranded for weeks, without suitable clothes, without medicine, and with costs that increase from moment to moment. No one compensates, no one helps, and no one explains when a way back will open.

"This is no fun," says Murdi Gefen, "the country is in a state of emergency, and you're stuck abroad, you're supposed to enjoy yourself? How is that possible? How is a sensible person supposed to sit in a cafe in Europe when he hears alarms from Israel every hour?"

There are solutions – but no one is taking them.

Mordi says that the state can provide solutions: "We can operate Hercules planes and bring back large groups. The navy can transport civilians. Why don't we use shipping? We can bring back tens of thousands within days. But no one is doing anything." In other words, the infrastructure exists, there are tools, but there is no will or initiative on the part of the higher echelons.

Private initiative of citizens – instead of a functioning state

Ronit, a private citizen, is forced to change the country: "I opened a file where people who are stuck abroad are registered with a phone number and destination, so that when there is an answer - we can call them. I don't receive money, but I do receive dozens of calls a day. It's exhausting. I don't understand why I'm supposed to do this and not a member of Knesset who was elected to serve me. I read about how the country evacuated the ministers' families to a safe place - so what about us?"

Dozens of boats and yachts are waiting within an hour or two of sailing from Israel. Volunteer crews are ready to sail. The data is being collected. But what is missing are the approvals from the Israeli government – ​​the approvals that hold the entire system a bureaucratic hostage.

The worst flight of my life

"I wish I hadn't flown," says the same traveler from Rome. What started as excitement for a vacation has turned into an emotional trap and relentless stress. "This is the worst flight I've ever had. I can't think about anything, just how I'm going to get back."

The stories repeat themselves: couples who left children with grandparents; animals left in Israel without treatment; pregnant women who need to return for checkups; senior citizens who lack medication. And all within the opaqueness of a government system, which in the moment of truth – simply disappeared.

A clear call: Wake up, it is your responsibility

This article paints a stark and clear picture: There is no reason why residents of a civilized country should be stranded abroad in times of war, and forced to beg for permits to return home. It is not the job of a citizen to plan a maritime rescue, recruit volunteers, organize data, and save families. It is the job of a state. It is the direct responsibility of elected officials, ministers, officials, and the security services. The fact that this does not happen is a national disgrace.

And one last word to the authorities: The citizens are doing your job. Stop holding them back.

Responses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transportation will be added to the article when received.