In the “Krone” conversation – Austrians in Israel: “Women screamed for children”

crown.at: The most important question first: how are you doing now?
Anton Pacher-Theinburg: I am incredibly relieved that I got away safely. But I’m still very tense and nervous.

Why were you in Israel?
I was with a group of 39 people on a pilgrimage in Abu Gosh, about a 45-minute drive from Tel Aviv. The launch took place on September 30. Our return flight with Ryanair was scheduled for Monday (October 9).

How did you learn about the Hamas attack on Saturday?
We were in our pilgrim house when it started. The explosions were unmistakable in the plain outside Tel Aviv, where we were stationed. The clouds of smoke were also clearly visible. The sirens blared constantly and we were asked twice to go to an air raid shelter. The situation calmed down on Sunday and explosions could be heard every now and then. I assumed that I would be able to fly back to Austria on Monday as planned. I thought the Israelis had everything under control again. But that was clearly not the case.

How did Monday go?
We actually wanted to go to the Dead Sea. Then it was said that there were numerous attacks. The travel organization advised us against the trip. We then noticed that thousands of rockets were being fired into Gaza. However, check-in for the return flight was possible and I left for Tel Aviv Airport. And I got there relatively quickly, there were no roadblocks yet.

What was the situation like when they arrived at the airport?
There were a lot of people and you could feel the nervousness. Many religious Jews wanted to leave. I got through security relatively quickly. But then it started.

What happened then?
In the large waiting room in front of the gates the siren suddenly went off and mass panic broke out. Women were crying and screaming for their children, there was complete chaos. I had no idea where to run. Within five minutes the waiting room was empty. We were all asked to go to a shelter. It was a concrete room that was not equipped at all, but only provided protection. There was no information, there was uncertainty, many people were shaking and extremely tense. After five minutes we were allowed outside again. At first it seemed that everything would return to normal with the flights. Only then came the rude awakening.

How?
My flight was canceled after two hours because it turned out that an attack had taken place near the airport and the Ryanair plane was already approaching Tel Aviv. However, the plane flew on to Cyprus for safety reasons. And that’s why everyone had to go back to the airport entrance area from the gate. There was panic again, many people were screaming desperately, it was very unpleasant.

What did you do then?
I only heard canceled flights on the scoreboard. I was told that the only way to get a ticket for a flight to Vienna now was with El Al airline. Only: There was already a huge line of people in front of the cash register. I got in line, but an officer told me that I no longer had a chance of getting a ticket. I was desperate. Then suddenly the Austrian embassy contacted me via my mobile phone.

What were you told?
I had already registered in advance and said that I needed medication for my new kidney and that I only had some with me on Saturday. This was noted and I was told that there were three embassy staff at the airport looking after Austrians. All three were within 40 yards of me. Then I suddenly felt very safe again.

Did the embassy staff take care of you?
Yes, they were wonderful, my guardian angels. They were even able to quickly arrange a ticket for me for the flight to Vienna; it was the last one before Monday evening. A weight was lifted from my heart. The employees then guided me through the security checks and I was at the relevant gate almost four hours before departure. To be on the safe side, I sat at the very front, so as not to be afraid of overbooking. I slowly thought I had made it, but then there was a moment of horror.

Can you tell us this one?
When the ticket was scanned, the device glowed red. They explained to me that I had not checked in. I do not know why. But the employees at El Al were very nice and promised that they would take me with them if there was still room on the plane. All the passengers walked past me and I was sure the plane would be full. I was the last at the gate, but miraculously there was still an empty seat on the plane and I was allowed to board. Then everything actually happened very quickly. There were almost only Jewish citizens on the plane who wanted to go to Vienna.

Briefly describe your emotional state when the plane took off.
It was a pure feeling of relief. As we flew over the sea, I knew nothing could happen now.

Was someone waiting for you at Vienna airport?
Yes, my wife and my youngest daughter. The plane arrived just after 2am. It was an incredible feeling to be able to hug them both again. Since my roaming at Tel Aviv airport was no longer intact, I couldn’t contact them for hours. Luckily, they used an app to repeatedly check when flights from Tel Aviv to Vienna departed. On the last plane they were sure I was there. Then they went to Vienna.

And then you went straight back to Salzburg?
Yes, I was full of adrenaline. So I got behind the wheel of my car myself. I could have driven all night. The next day I returned to my job as an official veterinarian for the Salzburg state government.

Have you already received a sign of life from your fellow pilgrims?
Yes. 37 have already returned, two are still in Israel. They told me that a rocket had hit near the pilgrim house and several people were injured. I hope that the situation does not escalate further and that other states have to intervene. And I also hope that the Israelis do not act too cruelly against civilians.