Finland to evacuate citizens, residents from Israel, Palestine

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is preparing an evacuation flight for Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland who need help leaving Israel and the Palestinian territory, said the ministry in a press release on Wednesday.

Those in need of assistance will be evacuated to Finland to the extent possible, or to the closest safe area, with their consent and at their own expense.

According to the President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, tThere are still more than 150 Finns who need help leaving the country.

The ministry is working on the arrangements in close cooperation with the other Nordic countries and aims to provide an evacuation opportunity in the next few days.

Travellers in the region are advised to register their travel plans at matkustusilmoitus.fi and, in emergencies, contact the Foreign Ministry’s 24/7 Service Centre by email to [email protected] or by phone to +358 9 1605 5555.

The Foreign Ministry will contact everyone who has registered their travel plans and inform them about the evacuation flight.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs upgraded its travel advice for Israel on 8 October 2023 and advises against all but essential travel to Israel.

The Ministry especially advises against travelling to the southern part of the country close to the border with the Gaza Strip and to the northern part of the country close to the border with Lebanon and Syria. It recommends exercising special caution when travelling in the West Bank.

Finland’s Embassy will remain operational in Israel. It will help as far as possible anyone who requests consular assistance.