Following the outbreak of Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, there have been multiple cases of planes being forced to land in countries that are unfriendly to Israel.
A plane with about 180 Israeli passengers on board was forced to land in Saudi Arabia, and the passengers were made to wait on board pending instructions.
One woman that The Jerusalem Post reached out to explained that her brother was flying from Sri Lanka to Dubai but was made to land in Muscat, Oman, a country with no normalized relations with Israel.
The Post also spoke to Ofri, who is stuck in Bahrain.
Bahrain and Israel do have diplomatic relations; however, Israel's Foreign Ministry currently prohibits all travel to Bahrain and deems it a High Threat destination. The Foreign Ministry's website says: "Since the beginning of Operation Swords of Iron there is a significant increase in hostility against Israelis/Jews worldwide. Terrorist cells are more motivated to harm Israelis/Jews anywhere. Consequently, we recommend avoiding all travel to this country."
Ofri had been on a work trip in Dubai and wanted to explore Bahrain when war broke out. "The thing is, there are sirens and explosions sounds everywhere and very often, but there is no option of shelter, so it feels very off," he said.
His initial plan was to fly from Bahrain to Dubai, and from there to Israel, but on understanding that the situation would last for more than a few days, he booked a flight to London.
However, the entirety of Bahrain's airspace was completely closed, so he said he is currently waiting for it to reopen.
Only the hotel he is staying at knows he is Israeli. He added that he is watching the local news closely and everyone is "very shocked."
Israeli hides identity in Egypt
The Post also spoke to Abraham, who is stuck in Egypt. Israel also prohibits travel to Egypt, "given concerns that terrorist entities will try to harm Israelis."
Abraham, however, is a joint Israeli-US citizen and has not told anyone that he is Israeli. He told the Post he feels safer in Egypt right now than he would in Israel, but has yet to have contact with Israeli authorities.
Then there are those stuck in safe countries, but with no way of getting back. Esther was supposed to fly back to Israel tomorrow from the US, but her flight was canceled. She was informed that she cannot get a new flight until March 21st.
"I feel awful, I miss home and would rather deal with Iran and be in my home country with my family than the US. Israel is home, good or bad, and I want to be there to support and go through anything for my people," she said.
She said she has had no real help, and while El Al helped a little, she has been "kind of left in the dark."
Alexandra was supposed to leave Brazil for Israel on Saturday, with a connecting flight in Europe. However, after waking up to red alert sirens on her phone, she decided to stay a few more days in Rio de Janeiro. Right now, she doesn't know when she will be able to return, but said once Ben-Gurion Airport opens, she will be on the first flight home.
"When I flew abroad, I knew there was a chance a war might break out, though I didn't think the probability was very high," she said. "I’ve missed home, my family, and my work, but we are doing something great here [with the attacks on Iran] so what is it to me to stay in Rio just a little longer?"
"I hope that after this war, there will be no more wars; that the rest of the Gulf states will join the Abraham Accords, and we will be able to live here in peace, as good neighbors, in full cooperation. I am so grateful to the security forces, our incredible pilots, and everyone taking part in this historic moment and supporting us," she added.