Florida Rescues Over 1,400 Americans From Israel Crisis

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state successfully orchestrated a complex rescue operation, chartering two flights and a cruise ship mission to evacuate over 1,400 Americans from the escalating conflict in Israel, including students and Israel Birthright participants stranded after the closure of Ben Gurion International Airport. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) partnered with various agencies and private organizations, including the nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue, to conduct these efforts, which DeSantis described as the most challenging mission in his tenure. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Project Dynamo, partly based in Florida, has also been actively rescuing Americans by ferrying them from Israel to safer locations like Cyprus and Jordan, aiming to evacuate up to a thousand people weekly despite funding challenges. Over 160 Americans were specifically reported rescued by FDEM and Grey Bull Rescue, with the nonprofit expecting thousands more evacuation requests. These evacuation efforts occur amid heightened tensions and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, with President Donald Trump signaling readiness to involve the U.S. in the conflict if necessary, including potential action against Iran’s nuclear program. The coordinated rescue operations underscore Florida's leadership role in assisting Americans abroad during this crisis, reflecting a commitment to not turning away any American in need, regardless of residency status.