-Editorial
Dozens of Imperial Valley residents remain in Jerusalem after Israel closed its airspace Saturday, Feb. 28, amid escalating regional military tensions, delaying the group’s planned return to the United States.
Head Pastor Walter Colace of Christ Community Church said the church’s tour group had been preparing to depart when warning sirens sounded at their hotel earlier in the day, prompting guests to move to an underground shelter in accordance with local safety protocols.
Colace has been providing regular updates through his Facebook page, describing the group’s safety measures, spiritual gatherings, and efforts to secure return travel.
“We’re all doing well, and our faith in Jesus is growing stronger and deeper as each moment passes,” Colace wrote in a late evening update on March 2. “Our group is so grateful to all of you who have been praying for us.”
According to Colace, the group marked the beginning of Purim while in Jerusalem. He explained that Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther. The group gathered in a private room to read the text together and pray.
“Our group gathered together in a special room and read through the entire book of Esther,” Colace wrote. “We then prayed together and went off to dinner rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness in our lives.”
Commercial flights out of Tel Aviv were suspended after Israeli authorities closed the country’s airspace amid heightened tensions in the region. The closure disrupted the group’s scheduled departure on Israel’s national carrier, El Al Airlines.
Colace said the group’s flight coordinator presented alternative options, including traveling by bus to Egypt for departure from there. That option would have required an eight-hour bus ride and multiple connecting flights before returning to the United States.
In a March 4 update titled “Jerusalem Bomb Shelter Update #2,” Colace said the group decided to remain in Jerusalem and wait for direct flights from Tel Aviv to resume.
“The group has decided to wait for our direct flight out of Tel Aviv with El Al Airlines when the flights resume,” he wrote. “Since the Lord opened up the door for us to stay here at no cost for the rooms, the group was in agreement to stay put for the moment.”
He added that El Al had begun operating limited inbound flights, which the group hopes signals that outbound service may resume soon. “Please pray for outgoing flights to resume with El Al Airlines,” Colace wrote.
Colace said members of the group who required medication were able to refill prescriptions locally. He also noted that he has been in communication with the office of U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and State Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez regarding the group’s situation.
“We are all still doing great even though we’re entering our fourth day caught up in the war,” Colace wrote. “We miss our family, friends, and church family.”
As of Tuesday, there was no official timeline for the full reopening of Israeli airspace for outbound commercial travel. The group continues to shelter in place, monitor developments, and await further guidance from airline officials and local authorities.
Colace said the group remains together and in regular contact with family members in Imperial Valley.
“We are all safe and know that God’s hand of protection is upon us,” he wrote.
