Rabbi Yosef Konikov went to Jerusalem for what was supposed to be a quick family visit. Instead, the Orlando-based spiritual leader is stuck there as airspace across the Middle East has shut down and hundreds of flights have been canceled amid a widening U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran. Konikov, who leads Chabad of South Orlando, had been scheduled to fly back to Florida on Saturday, but he says those plans disappeared the moment Israel closed its skies. For now, he and his family are sheltering in Jerusalem, monitoring alerts and waiting for any safe route home.
Konikov told WFTV that sirens and the booms of intercepted missiles have become part of daily life, even as he tries to keep his family calm. He and his wife are considering traveling by land into Egypt to try to catch a flight back to the United States. “They say everything’s up in the air, and they don’t know until everything’s in full operation—and it’s not,” he said.
Flights ground across the region
Across the region, the ripple effects have turned into full-on travel chaos. Airspace closures and mass cancellations have left thousands of travelers stuck and disrupted long-haul routes, with major Gulf hubs sharply reducing or halting operations, according to AP. Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha suspended services, and airlines warned of extended disruptions. Flight-tracking maps showed a near-empty corridor over large parts of the Middle East, a “massive hole” in commercial air traffic that has forced detours and delays. The Guardian reported that the combination of closures and reroutes has snarled connections worldwide.
State Department urges Americans to depart
The U.S. State Department issued an unusually urgent “DEPART NOW” advisory, urging Americans to leave 14 countries in the region using available commercial transportation because of “serious safety risks.” The advisory, posted by consular officials on social channels, specifically lists Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt among the countries covered. JTA summarized the list and the department’s message to U.S. citizens.
Washington marshals charters and hotlines
U.S. officials say they are arranging charter and military flights from staging points such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to move Americans out where commercial options are not available. The State Department has opened a 24/7 call center and is proactively contacting citizens. Americans needing help were told to call +1-202-501-4444 from abroad or +1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada, per CBS News.
What Central Florida is watching
Back in Central Florida, members of Chabad of South Orlando and other local Jewish groups are closely tracking Konikov’s situation and checking on family and congregants abroad. Konikov leads the Chabad of South Orlando center listed in the Chabad directory, and local leaders say they are supporting his family and staying in touch while he waits for a route home. For now, he says he feels relatively safe but wants a clear plan to get back to Orlando as soon as flights or charters become available.
