Arizona Senators Secure Safe Return of Teens from Israel Amid Mideast Conflict

Seventeen Arizona high school students and their two chaperones safely returned to Phoenix after being stranded in Israel amid escalating tensions following Israel's surprise strikes against Iran's nuclear program. The students, part of a three-week trip co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel and Jewish National Fund-USA, faced travel disruptions due to missile strikes and airspace closures. Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego played a pivotal role in coordinating the students' evacuation, working closely with U.S. and Israeli officials, including Ambassador Mike Huckabee and the Israeli Consulate General, to secure safe passage. The group was evacuated via a Birthright Israel cruise ship to Cyprus before flying back to the U.S., alleviating the fears of anxious parents who had been monitoring the volatile situation closely. Both senators emphasized their commitment to continuing efforts to bring home other Arizonans still in Israel. The successful return highlights the importance of swift government intervention during international crises involving American citizens abroad.