Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to charter flights into Israel and bring back stranded American citizens from what’s now a nation at war.
As the fighting rages between Israel and the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered hundreds of Israeli citizens last weekend, DeSantis has directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to coordinate flights to begin transporting the 1,000 or so American citizens and Florida residents currently in Israel back to the United States, should they want to come.
FL Gov DeSantis swipes at Biden admin, sends planes to Israel via
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) October 12, 2023
“WHEREAS, unlike the governments of other countries, the Biden Administration has failed to launch any form of rescue or evacuation operations for Americans, including Floridians, stranded in the region…” pic.twitter.com/Lx9apUjYyf
“We’re leading in Florida. I just signed an executive order. We’re going to be sending our own planes, and we’re going to be bringing people right back to Florida from Israel,” DeSantis said Thursday, claiming that his office has been contacted by a number of American citizens in Israel who he says “are not receiving timely assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Israel and are not receiving any followup after enrolling in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.”
“We will not leave our residents behind,” DeSantis added. “To the many Floridians who are stuck in Israel, trying to get home — help is on the way.”
The news comes as major commercial U.S. airlines have suspended travel in and out of Israel, leaving those who want to leave the country largely stuck in the absence of a targeted evacuation effort.
Related: ‘No Region Can Escape Hamas’ Reach,’ Sec. of State Blinken Warns
The Florida planes ordered by DeSantis will also reportedly ferry supplies to the embattled nation as Israel defends itself from the Hamas attacks on Israeli towns that left an estimated 1,200 dead, including at least 27 Americans. The Palestinian Authority claims more than 1,500 more people have been killed in Gaza, where Hamas is known for firing rockets from schools and hospitals, and as terrorists reportedly continue to tell Palestinian families to stay put despite the danger.
Nearly a week after the initial attacks, the Biden administration said Thursday that it will launch a similar rescue mission for the tens of thousands of American citizens stuck in Israel, adding that the first planes will leave Friday. The State Department said they expect to “facilitate the safe departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week.”
However, the feds say Americans who get on those planes will not be transported home, but will be taken to a safe country and left on their own to work out the remainder of the trip to the U.S. In addition, the tickets won't be free.
A California photojournalist who is in Israel told media outlets this week, “As soon as we head to the airport, we have to sign a waiver saying that we have to pay the country back, the money. You know, the ticket."
"I’m feeling a little frustrated. Because last Wednesday, some counties with less resources — they sent planes to get people out," he added. "The United States has so many resources, and the only help we’re getting is a ticket to a different country. From there, we have to figure out how to get home.”
In email provided to NBC Bay Area, the State Department explained to American travelers out of Israel, "You will be asked to sign an agreement to repay the U.S. government prior to department. You should be prepared to arrange your own lodging and onward travel ... to your final destination. U.S. Embassy officials will be available to help you when you arrive."
Contrarily, DeSantis says the planes coming from Florida will bring Americans straight home, and they'll be free.
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A new episode of The Brittany Hughes Show is out now! Hamas terrorism is evil, and America has imported it. pic.twitter.com/R4FrM3VFtq
— MRCTV (@mrctv) October 12, 2023