DeSantis’ first Israel evacuation flight brings Americans to Tampa, Orlando
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order to “bring Floridians home” from Israel landed its first charter flight on Sunday in Tampa carrying 270 mostly American passengers, and the governor said more missions were on the way.
DeSantis has been joined by GOP U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Cory Mills, R-New Smyrna Beach, in helping Americans escape Israel amid its war with the terrorist group Hamas.
On Sunday, Scott posted an offer on X for his staff to help any Floridian seeking to leave Israel. Mills reportedly flew to Israel last weekend to help with emergency evacuations before returning to the U.S. Capitol.
The passengers arriving on a charter flight Sunday night included 91 children, according to Project Dynamo, an international rescue nonprofit that helped organize it. Some passengers were from states other than Florida, the group added, and one was from the Czech Republic.
They were welcomed by DeSantis, who shook their hands as state officials took pictures and video.
My team and I are working to make sure Floridians and anyone in need can get home from Israel safely.
If you or someone you know are in need of help, please reach out to our team https://t.co/4YmB1rEhyc
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 15, 2023
Bryan Stern, CEO of Project Dynamo, also greeted the passengers and thanked DeSantis.
DeSantis indicated that seven other evacuated passengers had arrived in Orlando. He said there would be more flights from Israel as well. He claimed many of the evacuees had “no help” and had been unable to get out of Israel on their own.
“I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not — get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge,” DeSantis said in a news release.
The cost of the flights was not revealed, but DeSantis’ executive order allowed state officials to tap into a multimillion-dollar emergency fund.
On Friday, the White House and State Department announced the start of chartered flights for American citizens departing Israel to Athens and Frankfurt in order to “facilitate the safe departure of thousands of U.S. citizens.”
On Monday, the State Department began evacuating other Americans as well, taking them by ship to Cyprus.
DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, has used the Hamas attacks on Israel to highlight his pro-Israel record. He has also sharply criticized President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for their handling of the emergency.
DeSantis also has inserted himself into the national immigration debate by flying migrants from the southern border to Martha’s Vineyard and California.
The New York Times contributed to this report.