The Jacob Shapiro Podcast Escape from Tel Aviv
Mar 10, 2026
Avi Swerdlow, a high-school friend who landed in Israel the day before the Gulf War began, recounts waking to sirens, sheltering in an Airbnb safe room, and scrambling through canceled flights and closed airspace. He describes embassy alerts, a midnight land-escape plan via Egypt, boarding a DHS evacuation plane, and relief after landing in Athens. Short, tense travel and logistics stories.
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Siren Wake Up And Shelter In Airbnb Safe Room
- Avi Swerdlow woke to air-raid sirens in Tel Aviv and sheltered with his mother in their Airbnb's safe room (MAMAD) the entire first day.
- He downloaded Israeli alert apps the night before and they took refuge in a reinforced interior room with a steel door installed mid-siren by the host.
Airspace Closure Happens Immediately
- Israeli airspace closed almost immediately after attacks, trapping travelers who expected a multi-day window to leave.
- Avi learned quickly that flights were canceled within hours and airlines repositioned fleets to Europe, leaving no commercial exits.
Register With Embassies And Share Special Needs
- Sign up for embassy registration programs (STEP) before travel and disclose disabilities or special needs to receive timely alerts and tailored guidance.
- Avi registered with US STEP and the German embassy, which delivered critical situational updates and informed later support.