Help and tips for hard times
The international community is here for you!
What happened?
A Surprise Attack on Israel
Israel says it is at war with Gaza.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/briefing/israel-gaza-hamas.html
On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale offensive against Israel from the Gaza Strip, breaking through the Gaza–Israel barrier and forcing entry into Gaza border crossings, nearby Israeli cities, adjacent military installations, and civilian settlements. It is the first direct conflict within Israel's de jure territory since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.[16][17] Hostilities were initiated in the early morning with a rocket barrage against Israel and vehicle-transported incursions into Israeli territory, with a number of attacks having been carried out on Israeli civilian communities and the Israeli military. Some observers have referred to these events as the beginning of a third Palestinian intifada.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2023_Gaza%E2%88%92Israel_conflict
1) Keep yourself safe!
Rockets and Missile Fire - Life-Saving Guidelines
Correct position for outdoor
Stay away from the car and the glasses!
Sometimes there are no close shelters
Important highlights
• Stay in a protected space for 10 minutes to protect yourself against pieces of rockets and intercepts.
• Do not gather in the area of the event. Gathering is dangerous due to fear of another round of shooting.
• If you are staying in the building under light construction without access to a protected space you can reach within the time available to reach shelter - get out of the building, lie on the ground and protect your head with your hands.
• If you have identified suspicious objects: move away from the area, keep people away and report to the Israel Police at 100 call center, as soon as possible.
• The security forces are handling the incident.
• Get updates from messages circulated in the media and wait for further instructions.
Tel Aviv has become a limited activity area
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Guidelines from TAU
Guidelines from Einstein/Broshim
Since the academic year has not yet begun, not many academic activities on campus were planned for this upcoming week. Note, though, that exams scheduled for next week will be postponed to a later date. Other academic activities planned for the next two days will be canceled or postponed to a date to be determined later.
The university will operate in a limited capacity in the next few days. The administrative staff will receive instructions from human resources and the heads of the various units regarding their presence on campus. There is no restriction on coming to campus for research purposes.
2) Check on the news (reliable websites)
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Others, such as Ynews, i24
Follow the guidelines of your embassy
3) Strong decision making: to stay or to leave?
ALWAYS check the boarding plan of Ben Gurion Airport
https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures
… and the scheduling of the company with which you bought the fly!
The companies are more flexible and allow changes and cancellations without fees
…Israeli airlines said they would be updating their cancellation policies. El Al reported that the company operates according to the instructions of the security forces and is in direct contact with them. "Due to the situation, we allow concessions for our customers. Passengers who started their journey and wish to advance and return until Friday will do so without change costs and without price differences in the same service class," the company said.
Israair said passengers on flights departing from Tel Aviv up to and including October 13, will be able to cancel or postpone their trip without cancellation and change fees and receive a voucher for future redemption in the amount of the transaction. Passengers who wish to advance their flight to Israel and return up to and including October 13, will be able to do so without change fees depending on the available seats on the flight. "We ask passengers to inform us of flight cancellations in Israel in order to allow other passengers to reach Israel. Passengers who are abroad and wish to postpone their return to Israel will be able to do so without change fees depending on the available seats on the flights." All requests should be addressed by email site@israir.co.il".
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hygurc0g6
4) Psychological support
TAU and TAU international office offer psychological and professional support
https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkduitrDgoGt2dK-BQPwEhDeKG50xETvTw#/registration
If you know or need help yourself, about a student / employee who is in distress or needs help, you are welcome to contact us.
Attached is the link to the hotline operated by the psychological service
https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/j/83039265901
This line is available to anyone.
International students [of the Life science faculty] are requested to join our WhatsApp group dedicated to them https://chat.whatsapp.com/LfcObJuIP4g3CHKXXiF4Sp
Also the community is here for you! Don’t hide and suffer alone
You are not alone! Feel free to share your issues in WA group and reach out Valentina or Bhavana!
Be respectful of the different sensitivity and refrain to add up extra anxiety, rather give a warm welcome to the ones in need!
Always check with the appointed people, the community and your peers what to do!
Contacts of the TAU int. office team
We invite you to remain in touch with us via email
phone or WhatsApp +972-52-5346188