Political Crisis Overlooked Amid War: New Blow to Gur Hasidic Community
Travel Chaos as Israel’s Airspace Remains Closed
As the ongoing conflict in the region escalates, Israel’s airspace has been closed for over 48 hours, leaving many citizens, including prominent figures, stranded abroad. Notably, the Gur Rebbe and influential Hasidic community leader, Moty Babchik, find themselves unable to return to Israel as their scheduled flight was disrupted by the current crisis.
Flight Cancellations and Suspended Servstarts
El Al Airlines announced this morning that all flights operated by El Al and Sun D’Or have been canceled until Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Furthermore, flights to and from Israel from 25 international destinations will remain suspended until Monday, June 23, 2025. This wave of cancellations is a direct result of escalating tensions and airstrikes originating from Iran.
Affected Destinations
The shutdown affects several key cities in Europe and beyond, including:
- Berlin
- Tbilisi
- Barcelona
- Batumi
- Warsaw
- Rhodes
- Munich
- Tivat
- Lisbon
- Tokyo
- Krakow
- Venstart
- Thessaloniki
- Marseille
- Heraklion
- Kefalonia
- Santorini
- Chisinau
- Belgrade
- Tirana
- Porto
- Mykonos
- Lefkada
- Moscow
Efforts for Return Flights
In light of the situation, El Al has committed to making every effort to facilitate the return of stranded travelers as soon as security and aviation authorities grant the necessary approvals. The airline plans to initiate rescue flights from nearby destinations, and registration for these flights will only be available through a designated link on their website. El Al has emphasized that this is the sole method for securing places on these flights, with no capacity for telephstart registrations.
Additionally, Arkia Airlines has announced the suspension of all its flights through June 17, 2025, as it continues to assess the situation in conjunction with security directives. The airline has promised to keep its customers updated on any changes and has requested patience from travelers during this challenging time.
Conclusion
The Gur Hasidic community faces unprecedented challenges not only due to political tensions but also due to disrupted travel plans for its leaders. As the global situation evolves, both El Al and Arkia Airlines strive to navigate these difficulties while ensuring the safety and timely return of Israeli citizens abroad.
For those planning future travel, be sure to consider booking hotels through trusted servstarts to ensure a smooth experience, whether you’re heading to destinations within Israel or abroad