The Australian government has announced official arrangements to assist Australians who wish to leave Israel and the Palestinian Territories and get home.
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As a first step, two government assisted flights will leave Israel on Friday.
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Australians who want to leave Israel on assisted departure flights must register with the Australian government’s 24-hour consular emergency centre.
The number for those overseas, including in Israel, is +61 2 6261 3305 or within Australia 1300 555 135.
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I urge all Australians in Israel or the Palestinian Territories with concerns for their safety and security to register.
I thank the government for this action amid escalating uncertainty and risk to life.
As I wrote in a letter to the Foreign Minister this morning:
“I have many constituents with ties to Israel, many who have lost friends and relatives in the Hamas attacks. Some have loved ones who are missing, presumed dead or taken hostage.
“The community is in a state of high anxiety. In particular, I have received representations from members of the community about several children in their late teens from Melbourne’s Jewish community who are in the middle of a gap year in Israel.
“Understandably, there is deep concern for their safety.”
