This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis said almost 700 Americans have been evacuated from Israel on four flights thanks to the state’s Israel Rescue Operation.
“As of today, nearly 700 Americans have been flown back to Florida on four flights and received supportive resources made available by several Florida state agencies and volunteer organizations. A Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) was established at the Tampa International Airport to receive passengers returning to the United States from Israel, and the MARC supported all identified unmet needs and coordinated state resources and nonprofit support,” the governor’s office announced. “Additionally, two cargo planes carrying 85 pallets of donated supplies have arrived in Tel-Aviv, Israel. These goods were requested by hospitals and other government agencies in Israel and were sent through the collaboration of Florida hospitals, local communities, the Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Division of Emergency Management and various Israeli partners.”
The governor’s actions garnered the applause of U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla.
“In Florida, we do things differently. We roll up our sleeves and get things done, like we have with the many natural disasters we’ve faced,” said Dunn. “What Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) are doing with these repatriation flights is no different. We have many Floridians in Israel, and we must get them to safety. Thank you, Governor DeSantis and FDEM, for putting Floridians first and ensuring they’re out of harm’s way.
“While the FDEM flights cost Floridians nothing, the U.S. State Department flights involve repayment. I’m looking to remedy this. No American should have to hesitate to ask for help when they are escaping terrorist attacks and warzone areas,” Dunn added.
