site.btaForeign Minister Gabriel Comments on Efforts for Providing Safe Passage Home to Bulgarians in Israel

After the last flight of the government plane to Tel Aviv, which was carried out on Friday, there were no Bulgarians left at the city's airport, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel on Nova TV. 

At the moment, there are still about 20 Bulgarians who have expressed a desire to leave Israel, and the capacity of the government plane is 94 people. "But when it comes to human life, there is no minimum number. I have said very clearly - the government plane will fly as long as there is an opportunity and as long as there is a need", Gabriel was adamant. 

"Bulgaria is monitoring the situation not only in Israel, but also in the Gaza Strip, and it is important that the Bulgarians in the region feel safe, but are also aware that it is not safe, that is why we also gave instructions during the week to avoid travel to Lebanon, to Jordan, to Egypt and do so only if absolutely necessary," said Gabriel.

At this stage, Bulgaria has been first country to go to provide an exit for its, actions have been coordinated with the Ministry of Transport, Gabriel also said. "What was important for us was to have a list as quickly as possible, in which our compatriots who needed to be taken back to Bulgaria could apply, while they fulfill their commitment to be at the airport," she added.

First of all, the short-term visitors residents had to go home to Bulgaria, and this happened with the first two flights. Then we had to have data for everyone else who had applied and wanted to leave, and that's what happened with the third flight, explained Gabriel, noting that this included families, medical and humanitarian cases.

The Foreign Minister again called on Bulgarians who need assistance to sign up on the list prepared by the Bulgarian embassy in Tel Aviv or through the Situation Centre of the Foreign Ministry.

"We must be ready for a scenario in which there is an increase in migrant flows, that is why we hope that the conflict does not develop into a regional one," Gabriel also said.