Haaretz: Exorbitant prices… The journey to escape from Israel!

Since the start of the Iranian missile strikes, Israel has witnessed an unprecedented wave of flight, with thousands of Israelis seeking to leave the country by any means possible, amid a complete closure of airspace and strict government travel restrictions.

Although the Israeli government only allows flights designated for repatriating its citizens from abroad, it categorically refuses to allow passengers to leave, forcing many to resort to alternative routes, most notably by sea.

A photo investigation published by Haaretz newspaper revealed the increasing number of sea escapes, departing secretly from ports such as Herzliya, Haifa, Ashdod, Netanya, and Hadera, towards Cyprus.

These operations use yachts and private ships, some of which are small and ill-equipped, increasing the risks of the journey.

Many of the escapees refused to speak to the Israeli leftist newspaper for fear of persecution, while some tried to hide behind false pretenses, claiming to be businessmen on a temporary mission, while others admitted they were fleeing Iranian missiles.

According to testimonies, government ministries advised some Israelis with foreign citizenship to pass through Egypt or Jordan as alternative routes, Haaretz newspaper reported.

One escapee, identified as “Yehuda,” described the journey, saying, “The real nightmare is the sea: the waves, the nausea, and even the sharks”.

A captain named Moshe confirmed that he refused numerous escape requests for fear of legal repercussions, and cited problems for passengers unaccustomed to the sea, such as vomiting or vandalizing toilets.

Despite this, some sailors confirmed that the voyage to Cyprus is generally not dangerous, but it can be a difficult experience for those inexperienced in sailing.

According to Haaretz, the cost of a yacht trip ranges between $600 and $1,200, depending on the size, speed, and services available.

One captain confirmed that some yacht owners lack adequate insurance yet still carry passengers for a fee.

At one marina, an unknown company waits to launch four or five yachts daily toward Cyprus.

Among the passengers were two young men and a four-year-old child, who frankly admitted, “We fled the missiles… We couldn’t take it anymore”.