Israel: Cyprus at the center of a silent wave of evacuations
Israel: Cyprus at the center of a silent wave of evacuations
Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Cyprus has taken a central role in the repatriation of thousands of Israeli citizens. The small EU state in the eastern Mediterranean is currently becoming a hub for humanitarian repatriation operations – by air and sea.
✈️ Airlift from Larnaca to Israel
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 13 special flights began from Larnaca Airport back to Israel:
- 9 flights landed in Haifa
- 4 flights in Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion), two of them already in the morning
These evacuation measures are part of Israel's "Safe Return" operation, with which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to the temporary closure of Israeli airspace due to the conflict with Iran.
According to Transport Minister Miri Regev, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis are stranded worldwide, many of them in European countries – including Cyprus, Greece, Italy and France.
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🚢 info now Emergency evacuation by cruise ship
A massive repatriation was underway not only by plane, but also by sea. The cruise ship "Crown Iris" has been in operation for days:
- On Tuesday it departed from Haifa
- On Wednesday it reached the port of Larnaca, where it evacuated around 1,500 people
- On Thursday it is scheduled to dock again in Limassol to pick up 1,600 more Israelis
Many of the passengers were part of the "Birthright Israel" program, a project that enables young people of Jewish descent to travel to Israel free of charge.
It is expected that the "Crown Iris" will commute several times between Limassol and Haifa in the coming days - if necessary even replaced by a larger ship.
🟡 Safety before family reunions
The return operations are strictly coordinated. The Israeli government has urged people not to come to the airports or send taxis to pick up relatives. The protection of passengers, crews and flight operations has top priority.
📉 A silent wave of emigration in the background?
While Israel is bringing back its citizens, numerous reports in recent months show that
more and more Israelis are leaving their homeland permanently – voluntarily or under duress.
more and more Israelis are leaving their homeland permanently – voluntarily or under duress.
- According to reports, around 82,000 Israelis will not have set foot in the country in 2024
- Many young and highly qualified people are emigrating Particularly
- in demand: Countries such as Germany, Canada, Greece and also Cyprus
Cyprus is increasingly becoming an island of refuge for Israelis who are daring to make a new start in Europe. The stable financial system (see current Moneyval report), the EU status and the Mediterranean lifestyle make the island attractive for emigrants – especially families and entrepreneurs.
🧭 Conclusion
Cyprus has long been more than just a holiday island. In times of crisis, it is once again evident that
the republic is stable, open and willing to take responsibility – whether through legal reforms against money laundering or as a hub for repatriations and emigration.
the republic is stable, open and willing to take responsibility – whether through legal reforms against money laundering or as a hub for repatriations and emigration.
For MFRadio.de, the island remains the heart of a changing Mediterranean region – between war and hope, departure and return.
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📧 redaktion@mfradio.de
📢 AI Music & More – Your Voice. Your opinion. Your Cyprus.
Author: MFRadio Editorial Team
Sources: Cyprus Mail,Reuters, AP, Moneyval Report June 2025, Israeli Ministry of Transport
