(Hai Pa) – Friday 20/6/25 Mano Shipping's first rescue ship arrived at the port of Ashdod as part of Operation 'Safe Return'
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, Director General of the Ministry of Transportation Moshe Ben Zaken, Chairman of the Ashdod Port Shaul Schneider, Director General of the Port Nissan Levy and Commander of the Alon Command Shilo Adler welcomed the returnees.
For the benefit of returnees, 50 accessible buses and minibuses were provided free of charge to Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv, the Ashdod train station, and Jerusalem.
Seven days after the start of the war with Iran and the closure of airspace, this morning (Friday, 20/6/25) the first rescue ship, the Crown Iris, of the Mano Shipping Company, docked at the port of Ashdod, as part of Operation "Safe Return," led by the Minister of Transportation and Cabinet member, Brigadier General (res.) Miri Regev, to repatriate Israelis from abroad.
About 2,000 Israelis rescued from Limassol arrived on board the ship, following coordination between the Ministry of Transportation, the Shipping and Ports Authority, the Home Front Command, and the shipping companies. When the ship docked, the returnees were welcomed by Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, Director General of the Ministry of Transportation Moshe Ben Zaken, and Chairman of the Ashdod Port Shaul Schneider.
Transportation Minister Regev said: “Operation Safe Return is a national mission and an expression of Israeli mutual guarantee. We continue to work vigorously, with all tools and means, to bring Israeli citizens home safely.”
Ministry of Transportation Director General Moshe Ben Zaken added"This is a complex logistical operation that is being carried out with rapid decision-making, full cooperation between all authorities, and professional leadership by Minister Regev. Manu's ship is the first but not the last – additional passengers are expected to return this way in the coming days."
The Port of Ashdod, as a vital strategic facility, prepared in advance to receive the ship, with reinforcements, an expedited procedure, and passenger security, in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Ashdod, Shaul Schneider, said: “The Port of Ashdod is proud to take part in the national operation and return our citizens home. The port employees worked around the clock with a sense of mission and national responsibility.”
Ashdod Port CEO Nissan Levy added:"These days, between alarms, the port workers are working tirelessly to meet the needs of the Israeli economy and to receive the rescue ships with dedication and responsibility. This is a testament to the Israeli spirit and the mutual guarantee that characterizes us."
The Ministry of Transportation emphasized that the maritime space is open and the recovery operations are continuing, while maintaining the safety of the passengers and with the approval of security officials.
The Israel Defense Forces told Hai Pa News Corporation:
Alon Command, in cooperation with the Navy and led by the Ministry of Transportation, received a passenger ship carrying Israelis returning to Israel from Cyprus this morning at the port of Ashdod.
As part of Operation Safe Return, led by the Ministry of Transportation, a passenger ship carrying Israelis returning to Israel from the port of Limassol in Cyprus docked today (Friday). The ship docked at 4:30 a.m. at the docks of the Ashdod port with over 1,500 Israelis on board.
The ship was secured by the Navy's missile ship. The returnees were welcomed at the Ashdod Port dock by members of the Home Front Command's Alon Headquarters, so that the process of disembarking the ship and the residents' arrival at their homes via Ministry of Transportation shuttles would be carried out efficiently and quickly in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines.
As a reminder, the Alon Command - the National Missions Command, is assisting the Ministry of Transportation in accordance with the government's decision in Operation "Safe Return." In the meantime, the command operates the public contact center and coordinates all operational elements that take part in the operation.
Thank you to Sarah Miri and Manager Moshe who come to take pictures and respond to anything positive that is not related to them and stay away from responding to any negative event they caused. Polishok A A.
Israeli guarantee, i.e., connections with the Minister of Transportation.
Net Israeli guarantee. Thanks to everyone.
Led by the Honorable Minister Miri Regev.
Align power.