"Glad we delivered before there was a mess": Israelis return from Ukraine

Many Israelis who stayed in the country landed in Israel today in the shadow of the peak tensions with Russia.

"Everything is just in the media," he told Walla!

Omar from Pardes Hanna, and Bar from Netanya agreed with him: "There you do not see or feel a difference."

On the other hand, Anastasia, who came to her daughter for treatment, warns: "There is no readiness, no one knows what to do"

Yoav Itiel, Shlomi Gabay and Tal Shalev

13/02/2022

Sunday, 13 February 2022, 23:00 Updated: 23:42

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In the video: Israelis who returned from Ukraine (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)

Israeli citizens and diplomats working in government branches in Ukraine returned to Israel today (Sunday).

This, after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on Israelis to leave the country immediately and raise the level of warning for travel to the region.

"Everything is just in the media," he told Walla!

Omar Kedmi, 40, from Pardes Hanna, who took off from Kiev.

"Everything is normal there. You don't see or feel anything special. I went to Uman for two days and went back according to plan."

Bar Wasserstein, 30, from Netanya who lives most of his time in Uman, came to Israel for a vacation until Passover - then will return to Ukraine until Rosh Hashanah.

"Everything is just in the media. There you do not see or feel any difference," he agreed with Kedmi.

Nir Chen Zion also returned with his son to her trained.

"I'm glad we delivered before there was a mess, if there was anything at all," he said.

"Bauman does not see anything. There were a lot of Israelis at the airport in Kiev, but that is more or less the only different thing."

More on Walla!

Bennett on escalation in Ukraine: Travel warning tightened, Israelis must leave the country

To the full article

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"I went to Uman for two days and went back according to plan."

Kedmi (Photo: Yoav Itiel)

Anastasia Shevchuk, a 31-year-old Ukrainian who came to Israel for medical treatment in Ichilov for her daughter, believes that Russia will invade Ukraine.

She thanked Israel, and said that here, unlike her country, people know what to do in an emergency - while there is no readiness.

"No one knows what to do," she said.

Marina, whose family is originally from Russia, and Igor, whose family is originally from Ukraine, are a 26-year-old couple living in Ramat Gan.

She was waiting for him in the country, and he returned from a visit to his parents who live close to the Crimea, close to the Russian forces.

According to him, there the tension is more felt.

"No one knows what to do."

Anastasia Shevchuk (Photo: Yoav Itiel)

It is estimated that there are currently between 15,000 and 10,000 Israelis in Ukraine.

"We do not know what the developments will be in the coming days between Russia and Ukraine," the prime minister said this morning.

"Like the rest of the world, we hope that the tension will end without escalation, but our first duty is to take care of our citizens. I call here again on Israelis in Ukraine - return home. Do not take unnecessary risks, do not wait for a situation where you really want to return and it will be impossible. "Come on, get out of Ukraine as quickly as possible and come home."

The tension is felt.

Marina and Igor (Photo: Yoav Itiel)

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid decided to move the Ministry of Labor in an emergency.

The Israeli embassy continues to work with the full team of diplomats remaining in Kiev.

Lapid spoke with Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky and will later speak with the other Israeli emissaries at the embassy to receive a direct report on the situation.

According to a senior official in the ministry, the consular division will strengthen the consular section in Kiev with workers, who will be sent from the country to respond to emergency inquiries from Israelis with an emphasis on issuing passports and travel documents.

He further said that they are in touch with the Jewish community.

Defense Minister Bnei Gantz held security consultations regarding the situation in Ukraine during the Sabbath.

Following the developments, Gantz urged the IDF to prepare for the possibility that assistance would be required in bringing Israelis to Israel, in accordance with the scenarios and assessments of the situation.

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