New Update for residents of Florida – October 12, 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Florida in response to the ongoing conflict in Israel.

In the order, Governor DeSantis emphasizes that Florida is home to one of the world’s largest Jewish populations. Consequently, he calls upon the state of Florida to undertake logistical rescue operations to ensure the safety of its citizens.

On Twitter, the Governor expressed his commitment, stating, “We will not abandon our citizens. For the many Floridians currently in Israel, seeking a way back home, rest assured that help is on the way.”

In addition, the Governor activated the State national guard to respond to the emergency as needed, and also directed that sufficient funds be made available for all emergency responses throughout the state.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management is arranging chartered flights for Floridians needing safe transport from Israel – completely free of charge.

If you are a resident of Florida who wishes to return home click here and fill out the form.

New Update October 12, 2023:

The State Department has issued an update for those American travelers who wish to return home from Israel.

Since the crisis began, Agudath Israel has been working directly with the White House and the State Department towards finding solutions for Americans in Israel who want to return home. We have been advising Americans in Israel to register to receive updates and advisories from the State Department and receive U.S. assistance if and when needed.

This afternoon, the State Department informed American citizens who filled out the form asking for assistance in returning home that plans are being arranged to help them travel to a nearby country. The State Department said that while American air carriers are still not flying directly to/from Israel, plans are being arranged to bring interested American citizens to a nearby safe country that is NOT the United States. The US government will provide travelers with a loan to cover the costs of their initial flight. After that, any lodging and other transportation needs to be arranged and paid for by the traveler.

Only those individuals who respond to this email will receive further updates about the departure assistance plans.

Agudath Israel encourages any American who filled out the form and received an email from the State Department to reply to the email in order to continue receiving updates and travel plans.

Agudath Israel continues to work with our partners in seeking solutions for Americans in Israel who want to return home and will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses.

If you have not yet filled out the State Department intake form, do so immediately by clicking here or by calling 833.890.9595 or 606.641.0131. Americans who do not wish to leave Israel at this time should still complete the form, as the information provided will provide the State Department with an accurate accounting of Americans citizens present to assess the situation.

* * *

Update October 10, 2023:

In the few days since the onset of Hamas’ terrorist atrocities, many Americans who had traveled to Israel for the Jewish holidays have reached out to Agudath Israel offices around the country to request guidance on how to return home to the U.S. In the wake of the hostilities, flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport have been severely restricted, resulting in travelers being stranded in Israel for days and perhaps more.

Many of the cases that have been brought to Agudath Israel’s attention involved American citizens facing specific hardships – large families forced to seek new accommodations as their holiday reservations had lapsed, individuals in need of medical treatment back home, employees needing to return to their workplaces, and other pressing reasons that required them to come home immediately.

Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director and Counsel, as well as members of the Agudah’s government affairs team, have communicated directly with White House officials and members of Congress to apprise them of the difficult situations many community members are finding themselves in and to raise the matter of accommodating the need with more flights.

In a White House briefing today, Administration officials indicated that the problem has been put on its interagency agenda and that it is committed to working on helping Americans return home safely and in a timely fashion. Specifically, the White House has indicated that the State Department and the Department of Transportation are working with domestic airlines to increase flights from Israel. They are also exploring other options via air, land, and sea travel, and hope to have more information on that in the next few days.

“There are many officials in the White House and in government agencies who are putting significant effort towards resolving the difficult situations of Americans in Israel,” said Rabbi Cohen. “We are very grateful to President Biden and his administration, first and foremost, for standing by Israel, but also for their dedicated efforts towards American citizens seeking to return home.”

“Additionally, Agudath Israel thanks the Representatives and Senators who have raised the issue with Secretary Tony Blinken, including the 144 House members who joined Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) in a letter urging government action on the matter.”

Since the crisis began, Agudath Israel has been advising Americans in Israel as to how to comply with the State Department’s requirements that will enable them to be in contact with the U.S. Embassy and receive updates and advisories, and receive U.S. assistance if and when needed.

Agudath Israel continues to urge American who have not yet filled out the U.S. State Department intake form, to do so immediately by clicking here or by calling 833.890.9595 or 606.641.0131. Americans who do not wish to leave Israel at this time should still complete the form, as the information provided will provide the State Department with an accurate accounting of Americans citizens present to assess the situation.

The questions in the form include:

  • I plan to stay in the country and want to continue receiving updates from the Embassy.
  • I plan to leave the country on my own.
  • I plan to leave the country and may need assistance to leave.
  • I am confirming that I have left the country on my own.

It also gives an option to receive responses by phone for those who don’t have access to email or WhatsApp.