Active phase of evacuation of Latvian nationals from Israel has concluded - Foreign Ministry

RIGA - The active phase of evacuation of Latvian nationals from Israel has come to an end, as there is little interest from those who are staying there to leave, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed LETA.

Ten Latvian nationals left Sharm el-Sheikh resort in Egypt for Chisinau, Moldova, on June 22. The evacuation flight from Tel Aviv was organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt.

So far, 42 Latvian nationals have left Israel via Egypt and Jordan on evacuation flights organized by Ukraine, Lithuania and Slovakia, while 13 people have left Israel independently.

In total, 55 Latvian nationals have left Israel since the beginning of the escalation of the security situation in the region on June 13.

44 persons are currently registered in the Foreign Ministry's Consular Register, 12 of whom are short-term travelers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the short-term travelers and informing them about the possibilities of departure.

Israeli airspace has been open to flights since 23 June. In order to coordinate the departure of foreigners from Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism offers foreigners to register on the govforms.gov.il website. If evacuation flights from Israel are organiZed when the security situation permits, the Israeli authorities will inform travelers, notes the Latvian MFA.

At present, there is also overland travel possibilities from Israel to Jordan. Visas can be obtained at the border. It is also possible leave Israel by land for Egypt.

According to official figures, there are around 6,000 Latvian nationals residing in Israel and three in Iran.