This Photo Does Not Depict a Jewish Exodus Amid Iran-Israel Tensions
The Claim
Israeli media sources Media sources: Now at the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport, there is a mass flight of tens of thousands of Jewish families, all of them leaving Israel for their original homeland.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media accounts and pages have been circulating a photo purporting to show a mass exodus of Jewish families leaving Israel via Ben Gurion Airport out of fear of Iranian threats.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The image in question actually dates back to the congestion of travelers at Ben Gurion Airport before the Jewish Passover holiday (Pesach) on April 14, 2022.
Congestion at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv Before Passover 2022
The circulated photo is indeed from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, captured on Thursday, April 14, 2022, just before the Passover holiday. It depicts congestion and chaos resulting from flight delays, as approximately 73,000 Israelis were expected to pass through the airport at that time. This surge in travel was particularly notable following the decline of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity for many Israelis to travel for the first time in two years.
Israel Closes Its Airspace
Israeli newspapers have reported the Israeli Airports Authority’s declaration of the closure of Israeli airspace, effective from 12:30 AM (local time) during the Iranian attack on Israel. The authority has not disclosed the timeframe for the resumption of flights but has stated that updates will be provided in accordance with developments.
In response to the unfolding situation, Israel has canceled school trips and other youth activities scheduled for the upcoming days, coinciding with the beginning of the Passover season. Additionally, Israel has placed its entire forces on high alert in anticipation for a potential Iranian attack.
Iran Attacks Israel
The circulation of the allegation coincides with Iran's announcement on Saturday, April 13, of commencing its attack on Israel using drones and ballistic missiles. This action is in retaliation for Israel's targeting of the Iranian embassy in Damascus earlier in April and the subsequent killing of several members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In response to the Iranian attack, Israel has pledged to retaliate. Israeli officials have indicated that their defense systems successfully intercepted 99% of the Iranian attacks.
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