There is confusion about how to rescue about 7,000 Nepalis in Israel and 17 in Iran
About 500 Nepalis in Israel have submitted a petition to the government asking for rescue assistance. After the Israel-Iran war flared up, they filled the form on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday for Nepalese who want to be rescued from there.
According to Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri, spokesperson of the ministry, 485 people have filled the form with personal details till Thursday evening. They are all Nepalis in Israel. There are about 7,000 Nepalis in Israel. There are 17 Nepalis in Iran. Spokesperson Chhetri said that data is being collected for the purpose of rescuing Nepalis who are at risk. We are understanding the wishes of the Nepalese who are there. Discussions are also being held on how to safely bring those who want to be rescued, he said, "The government of Nepal will try as much as possible for the safety of its citizens."
Air service is suspended between war-torn Israel and Iran. It is also difficult to get off the highway. Some countries have already started rescuing their citizens. Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Chhetri informed that coordination is being done with various countries and international organizations for the rescue of Nepali citizens.
There are 5 Nepalis in Iran's prison. Other 12 Nepalis are working in various embassies and elsewhere. Rameshchandra Poudel, the Nepalese Ambassador to Qatar, who is also looking at Iran, said that no one has contacted them demanding rescue. According to him, there is information that all Nepalis are safe so far. "We are discussing what to do if we have to withdraw from Iran tomorrow-Thursday," he said. "The air service is closed. Azerbaijan and Pakistan have closed their borders.'
Ambassador Paudel informed that he discussed with the Iranian Embassy in Qatar about rescuing Nepalis from Iran. It runs again from Iran to UAE. But it will take 15 hours to reach the starting point. There has been a discussion about whether it can be taken out from there," he said. "We will also discuss with the UAE. We will inform the Nepalis in Iran after identifying a safe route.'
According to Dhan Prasad Pandit, the Nepalese Ambassador to Israel, some Nepalis who are there are willing to return to Nepal. Most of the Nepalis who have got used to the situation here and are stuck in employment have not sought rescue. But those who have just arrived are looking for a way to return safely," he said, "but it is difficult to get out of here. It has not been two days since the visa application was made online to evacuate a Nepalese doctor from Jordan. Ambassador Pandit said that there is no problem in returning Biratnagar Mayor Nagesh Koirala, who was invited by the Israeli government. He added, "He also had a red passport."
The government of Nepal through its embassy in Egypt has requested the government of Jordan to facilitate the exit of Nepalis through the route there. Jordan said that he would make it easy if he had hotel and plane tickets. Ambassador Pandit said that since Egypt has to go through the border of Gaza, the Jordanian route will be easier. "We are in touch with the Nepali community," he said, "we will make necessary plans after looking at the number of people who want to return." Those who work here are able to book the plane tickets personally.'
