UAE Flies 600 Israelis to Ben Gurion, 100 to Athens

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) chartered two planes to transport 600 Israelis to Ben Gurion Airport overnight on Monday.

Additionally, another plane, also chartered at the expense of the Emirates, carried more than 100 Israelis to Athens, according to the office of Transport Minister Miri Regev.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contacted UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed at the request of Minister Regev to facilitate the return of the Israelis.

Initially, Israel offered to finance the flights, but the UAE covered the costs.

Further flights from the UAE are expected in the coming days to transport more Israelis.