The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, along with the assistance of the Government of the Kingdom of Netherlands, has succeeded in repatriating a Trinidad and Tobago national from Israel on October 16, 2023, following the deterioration of the security situation in parts of that country.

According to the ministry, on October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched attacks on Israel, killing over 1,400 people. Retaliatory strikes from Israel have resulted in the deaths of over 3,400 people in Gaza.

The ministry also noted that:

Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in Israel, together with hundreds of foreign nationals, have faced challenges in departing the country due to cancellations of inbound and outbound flights by major international airlines. The Ministry requested and is pleased to have received the assistance of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Port of Spain for the inclusion of an adult male Trinidad and Tobago national on a repatriation flight out of Israel on 16th October 2023, in the midst of this developing situation.

The Ministry was then able to arrange and facilitate our national’s onward journey from Amsterdam, resulting in his arrival in Port of Spain on October 18, 2023. The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and to establish and maintain contact with Trinidad and Tobago citizens who are currently in the region.

The email helpline, ttnationalsisrael@foreign.gov.tt remains operational for those who wish to communicate the presence of Trinidad and Tobago nationals in that region.