Canadians in Israel seeking to get back home as the Israel-Iran war enters its seventh day, now have some options thanks to the Canadian government organizing commercial flights from neighbouring countries.
According to the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, there are more than 6,600 Canadians registered in Israel. It is not known if those individual registrations are up-to-date and if all registrants are planning or seeking assistance to leave.
“In the interest of Canadians in the region, we are planning commercial options for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran to leave the region via certain neighbouring countries,” Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday morning, June 19. “This is in addition to ongoing efforts to assist Canadians attempting to leave Gaza.”
With Israeli airspace closed and all flights remaining cancelled, Canadians who manage to cross the border into neighbouring countries will have a newly bolstered level of consular services available to assist them in accessing commercial flights home. “We have now deployed additional consular services across the region – including to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Türkiye and Armenia,” said Anand. “We are developing further options with our allies.”
According to GAC, land border crossing options can currently be reached by commercial transportation to Jordan via Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Bridge, in the north of Israel (visa available on arrival); Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, near Jericho in the West Bank (visa required prior to crossing); and Yitzak/Aqaba, near Eilat in the south of Israel (visa available on arrival). To Egypt, access is via Menahem Begin/Taba, from southern Israel into the Sinai Peninsula (visa available on arrival).
Anand has indicated that the federal government has arranged flights with commercial carriers that are ready to depart, and Global Affairs Canada still strongly encourages Canadians in the region to register to ensure they receive timely communications directly. “We are very concerned for the safety of all Canadians and will continue to work 24/7 to ensure their safety.”
“If you travel to a border crossing to leave Israel or the West Bank, you do so at your own risk” says a GAC advisory, noting the security situation may result in disruptions to movement and transportation, including border closures or restrictions, especially in the West Bank. “These restrictions could make it difficult to reach the Allenby border crossing, which is the only exit option for West Bank ID holders, even if you have a Canadian passport.”
GAC is also advising travellers to check the status of border crossings before heading there, “and be aware that your personal situation could increase the risks to your safety and security in the country you’re crossing into. It could also affect your ability to enter.”
The Israeli government has already announced plans to coordinate future evacuation flights for tourists, who can register on the Israeli tourism ministry website. The Israeli government has also launched a repatriation campaign to get Israelis home, with El Al registering travelers with a priority on those whose flights were cancelled, to map locations and plan flight schedules. Organizations such as Birthright have also begun to evacuate program participants, including chartering a cruise ship to Cyprus.
To register your presence with Global Affairs Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
For information on travel advisories/restrictions: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/israel-the-west-bank-and-the-gaza-strip
