Latest news with #TaibaAsh
Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Really scary': Australian stranded in Israel recounts her experience
Australian stuck in Israel Taiba Ash discusses being trapped in Jerusalem amid the escalating conflict with Iran. There are more than 1200 Australians currently trapped in Israel and Iran. The airspace is closed, so for now, repatriation flights are not an option. The Australian Government, through DFAT, was in the process of organising buses to get people to Jordan. 'At the moment we are safe, it is really scary, we are with three young children – at any given moment a siren can go off and we have about 90 seconds to run to the street to a bomb shelter,' Ms Ash said.
Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘We are scared': Stranded Australian in Israel receives only a ‘single email' from DFAT as options to leave are limited
A stranded Australian in Jerusalem has revealed she and her young family have only received a "single email" from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). With more than 1,200 Australians trapped in Israel and Iran, options to leave the dangerous region have become rapidly become scarce as the conflict enters a seventh day. On Wednesday, Israel launched a phased airlift operation to bring home its citizens, after the country's military strike on Iran closed air space across the Middle East, leaving tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. Foreign citizens have also been fleeing Iran by land. China started evacuating its citizens from Tehran to Turkmenistan by overland bus on Tuesday. Hundreds of other foreign nationals fled to neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan. El Al, an Israeli airline, has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest and London. However, stranded Australian Taiba Ash, who has three young children, told Sky News on Thursday the Australian government has done little to protect its citizens as missiles and rockets are flung back and forth overhead. 'My husband and I both registered online with DFAT as well as the Australian embassy, they know we're here… As far as communication, we have only received a single email from them to say that they have organised a private bus to take us from Tel Aviv to the Jordan border,' she said. 'From what we understand, that is not the safest way to leave the country.' Ms Ash said security was not guaranteed by the Australian government once the border of Jordan was crossed. 'It's quite shocking to believe… we feel really unheard. We feel really alone and we haven't had much communication from them, which is quite concerning,' she said. Ms Ash said she was worried about the safety of her children and explained the route prescribed by the Australian government was not one she and her family were 'willing to take'. 'What's most concerning is that in the email, they were quite clear to say that the security is not really their responsibility and we take it upon ourselves to, you know, provide security for our family,' she said. Ms Ash said the Israeli government told them it was not the safest journey and that none of her friends had opted for the Australian government's suggestion. 'People have been waiting six to eight hours at the border of Jordan just to cross into the country,' she said. 'Friends of ours have been able to take a boat from Israel to Cyprus, which is a much safer route, we believe.' has contacted DFAT for comment. In the latest update on Smartraveller, the Australian government website for travel advice, told Australians in the Middle East to 'use your judgement' to decide the optimal time for a safe exit. 'Land border crossings to Jordan may open and close at short notice,' Smartraveller said. 'If you are not confident in the safety and reliability of any departure option, shelter in place and follow the advice of local authorities.' Smartraveller also warned of the likelihood of terrorism which could occur " anywhere at any time'. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told Sunrise the conflict in the Middle East had also affected Australians and said she sympathised for them. 'I really feel for the many Australians who have family, relatives in Israel and Iran and the region more broadly,' she said. 'We are focussed on those Australians who are in Israel and Iran and who have registered with us seeking consular assistance. That's my focus right now.' On Tuesday, Kathy Cohen, another Australian trapped in Israel, told Sky News she had travelled back to Israel for a friend's wedding but had become trapped after an abrupt conflict broke out with Iran. Asked if she had travel insurance before flying to Israel, Ms Cohen said she had 'unfortunately' booked her trip through Flight Centre and got the travel insurance through the travel agency. 'It's my fault for not checking but I didn't know that it was different levels and we found out that terrorist attack or war wasn't covered under that so we are not covered at all by insurance so we have to carry all of the costs,' she said. '(It's) a little unfortunate, but hopefully we can get some help somehow.'
