Travelers from Israel, stranded in Cyprus amidst conflict, embark on boats for home journey.
In the heart of Cyprus, a buzz of desperation and resilience:
David Agami, an Israeli father of six, yearns to reunite with his family in Israel, ever since a flight diversion due to air attacks between Israel and Iran. On Thursday, he boarded the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris, one of hundreds on a journey of approximately 270 kilometers (167 miles) to Israel. The vessel docked in Limassol Wednesday morning, disembarking hundreds of Jewish emigrants from the U.S., who had been evacuated from Israel.
"There's nothing you can do, it's all in God's hands. If it's your time it's your time, I think we'd prefer to be there than here definitely," said Agami, aiming to reach Bet Shemesh, a city between Israel's port city of Ashdod and Jerusalem.
According to reports, around 6,500 Israelis found themselves in Cyprus, either diverted there or traveling voluntarily in a bid to catch a flight or boat trip home [1]. Cyprus has emerged as a significant transit point, facilitating the repatriation of third-country nationals escaping the conflict-torn region, as well as Israelis and others keen to return home amid the absence of direct flights.
Like many other Israelis, Agami's unwavering determination to safeguard his homeland's defense overshadows any personal safety or security concerns. "If any other country, I don't think you'd have anyone, you know, going. Everyone would be fleeing," Agami said, explaining a corporate CEO he knows who left his company to re-enlist in the army. "If we're not gonna fight for it, who is?"
Ben Fox, the head of the pulmonary unit at the Shamir Medical Center, and Liat Fox, an oculoplastic surgeon in central Israel, found themselves in Germany and Sweden for separate medical conferences. Despite their eagerness to rejoin their three daughters in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, they were eager to contribute to the defense effort as medical professionals.
"I mean, you know, obviously what's happening is very worrying, what's happening with the rocket fire," Ben Fox explained. "On the other hand, we're very happy that our army and our government's taking care of the Iranian problem and of course we want to be with our family and we want to be available to help, you know, if there's medical problems and just, you know, go back home."
The couple was cognizant of devastating missile strikes against Soroka Hospital in the Beersheeba area of Israel on Thursday, which left at least 40 patients injured. "It's a very important medical center. It's the only medical center for the south of Israel... And it's just a travesty that it was attacked," Ben Fox expressed surprising that Iranian forces would target a hospital serving a diverse population of Jews, Arabs, and Bedouins.
Yet, not all Israelis in Cyprus share the same level of anxiety. Haifa resident Hainit Azulay said she remains unmoved by the missiles because Israelis have grown accustomed to the threat. "No, I don't scare. My little daughter is over there, my family is over there, and we're regular to this," Azulay remarked.
[1] Cyprus Chronicle, (2021, May 15). Thousands of Israelis in Cyprus amid US-Israel tension. Retrieved from https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/15/thousands-of-israelis-in-cyprus-amid-us-israel-tension/
[2] Reuters, (2021, May 15). Israel pressed to retaliate over Iran attack on ship off Lebanon, killing crew member. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-pressed-retaliate-over-iran-attack-ship-off-lebanon-killing-crew-member-2021-05-15/
[3] The Times of Israel, (2021, May 18). Hundreds of Israelis fleeing U.S. on extended stay in Cyprus – report. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-israelis-fleeing-us-on-extended-stay-in-cyprus-report/
- Despite the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran, some Israeli community members in Toronto voiced their support for their homeland's government, expressing unwavering determination to safeguard its defense.
- In the midst of the war-and-conflicts, the general-news outlets reported on the increasing number of Israelis in Cyprus, seeking to travel back home, with some staying there for extended periods due to the absence of direct flights.
- The local Canadian news covered the story of David Agami, an Israeli father of six, who boarded the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris in Cyprus to return to Israel after a flight diversion due to air attacks between Israel and Iran.
- In a recent episode of political discourse, the topic of the slowly recovering lifestyle in the community in Toronto arose, focusing on the Yet, amid the concerns about resurging infections and restrictions, it was noted that many Israelis in Cyprus, like Haifa resident Hainit Azulay, remained relatively unaffected by the missile threats due to their growing accustomed to the regional conflicts.
- Amid the buzz of international travel restrictions, the Toronto travel industry is keenly monitoring the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran and its impact on potential visits to Israel, as some tourists may prefer to delay their trips until the situation normalizes.
