DeSantis Sends Planes to Evacuate 1,500 Jewish Americans Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

In 2023, DeSantis also provided planes to evacuate Americans following the devastating massacre in southern Israel committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Florida Governor Rick DeSantis sent four planes to evacuate 1,500 Jewish US citizens leaving Israel amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

The passengers, most of whom were part of the Birthright program, which brings Jews to Israel to explore their heritage, boarded the Mano Maritime cruise ship Crown Iris in Ashdod, Israel, and sailed for 13 hours to Larnaca, Cyprus.

As Iranians fire missiles into Israel, the airspace is closed, with many unable to leave or enter the country by plane.

Birthright CEO CEO Gidi Mark told The Times of Israel that it was a “complex and emotional operation, carried out under immense pressure, and we are proud to have brought 1,500 young adults safely to Cyprus.”

The ship was accompanied and safeguarded by the Israeli navy during the journey to Cyprus, and from there, the passengers embarked on four wide-body planes provided by DeSantis and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, bound for Florida.

In 2023, DeSantis also provided planes to evacuate Americans following the devastating massacre in southern Israel committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

At the time, the Governor said the effort was a way to “fill the void” created by the Biden Administration.

DeSantis told Fox News in 2023, “It was sad because the State Department and the embassy over in Israel were not helpful to these people. If you think about it, illegal aliens come across our southern border, and the federal government will fly them all over the country for free.”

The evacuation accommodated 300 passengers who traveled from Tel Aviv and were greeted by the Governor and his wife, Casey DeSantis, at Tampa International Airport.

Tampa Jewish Community Relations Council Chair Jonathan Ellis commended Florida’s Governor for bringing 1,500 Americans to safety.

He told The Hill, “Florida has the resources to make sure that American citizens can get back to the US that were stranded in Israel. You have to commend him for the actions he’s taking.”

“Look, Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous friend to the state of Israel,” he added. “He has a commitment to not only the state of Israel but to the citizens of the state of Florida and to the American citizens.”