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How a Mediterranean vacation destination for Israelis turned into a displaced persons hub

JL;DR SUMMARY The island of Cyprus unexpectedly became a refuge for nearly 2,500 Jewish people stranded due to Israel's military campaign against Iran. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish CommunityChabadDisplaced PersonsCyprusIran ConflictTravel DisruptionOperation Safe ReturnIsraeli RepatriationCypriot Hospitality

Places mentioned

Larnaca, Cyprus
"Raskin, who has run the local Chabad center in the port city of Larnaca since 2003, told Jewish Insider."
Ayia Napa, Famagusta, Cyprus
"who on Tuesday traveled some 30 miles to the islands other Chabad, located in the resort town of Ayia Napa, where he barbecued for the injured IDF soldiers."
Jerusalem, Israel
"said Tzvi Berg, a Jerusalem resident who was flying home from a wedding in New York on Thursday night when just moments away from landing in Tel Aviv his flight was rerouted to Larnaca."
Tel Aviv, Central District, Israel
"said Tzvi Berg, a Jerusalem resident who was flying home from a wedding in New York on Thursday night when just moments away from landing in Tel Aviv his flight was rerouted to Larnaca."
Southern District, Israel
"One of the single mothers who came to Cyprus on vacation has two children with special needs in southern Israel facing constant missile fire."
Baku, Azerbaijan
"Some Israelis, including Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, who was stuck in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran, were able to return home over the weekend by flying to Greece and then to Cyprus, from which they took a boat to Israel."
Greece
"who was stuck in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran, were able to return home over the weekend by flying to Greece and then to Cyprus, from which they took a boat to Israel."
Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
"have charted private flights from Larnaca to Israel through Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt."

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Retrieved 2025-06-19 05:30:54 UTC
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