Ron DeSantis, Florida State, rescues 270 Americans on plane from Israel
Just days after signing an executive order to rescue Americans trapped in Israel following last weekend’s Hamas surprise attack, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis welcomed 270 U.S. citizens to their home states.
On Thursday, DeSantis signed one supreme command to allow the state of Florida to “conduct logistics, rescue and evacuation operations to ensure the safety of its residents” and to provide resources to the Florida Division of Emergency Management to bring Americans home.
A plane landed at Tampa International Airport in Florida around 7:45 p.m.
The plane was carrying American passengers from Israel to the United States. There were 270 Americans on the plane – including 91 children and four dogs. The Americans rescued came not just from Florida, but from across the country, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington, DC
DeSantis and his wife Casey welcomed Americans fleeing the war-torn country, thanks in part to Florida’s Republican governor, who provided funding for the rescue mission.
DeSantis said the plane that landed was the “first flight of people rescued from Israel.”
“There was a lack of leadership, so we stepped up and took the lead. We’re happy to be able to deliver that,” DeSantis said from the tarmac. “So we are preparing to welcome them back to the United States of America.”
The state of Florida has partnered with Project Dynamo – a Tampa-based nonprofit that “provides assistance to those affected in disaster and conflict areas around the world where the U.S. government has no access or presence.”
The mission to Israel was called “Operation: Promised Land.”
Project Dynamo’s website states: “Project DYNAMO was created in response to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, when hundreds of American citizens and thousands of our allies were left behind.”
Project Dynamo has reportedly conducted 602 rescue missions, removing more than 6,075 people from harm’s way and rescuing hundreds of pets.
Project Dynamo founder Bryan Stern thanked DeSantis for making the rescue mission possible.
“Kudos to Gov. DeSantis,” Stern said. “Thank you for your support. Your executive order made all the difference for us and allowed us to save all of these lives.”
Stern said at a news conference: “This is the first time in history that a state has subsidized an international rescue mission for American citizens at the state level.”
Stern said Americans stuck in Israel have contacted the U.S. State Department about leaving the Middle Eastern country. Some US citizens have reportedly had their flights canceled up to 14 times.
An estimated 20,000 US citizens live in Israel. after to the US State Department.
As Blaze News previously reported, the Biden administration is still working on agreements to get Americans out of Israel.
A State Department email to Americans held captive in Israel said the government will transport U.S. citizens out of the country, but not back home, and that those rescued will have to pay for travel expenses:
We are writing to keep you informed about U.S. government assistance with leaving Israel. We plan to offer transit options starting Friday, October 13th, but it will take time to schedule everyone to depart. If you choose this departure assistance, transport will be by plane to Athens or Frankfurt or by sea from Haifa to Cyprus. You can’t choose your destination – we’ll assign you to the next available flight or ship. You will be prompted to do so sign a repayment agreement the US government before departure. You should be prepared to organize your own accommodation and onward travel from Greece, Germany or Cyprus to your final destination.
TheBlaze founder Glenn Beck is also working hard to bring Americans home from Israel.
Beck has partnered with the Nazarene Fund – an organization whose goal is to “rescue, rebuild and restore” Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities around the world. Starting this weekend, planes will rescue Americans stranded in Israel.
Beck said on Instagram“Thanks to you and our wonderful partners, we will land as many planes as possible until everyone is home.”
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