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From the New York Post: Hundreds of Americans on Israel birthright trips have been evacuated from the Jewish state on a cruise ship to Cyprus — as fears grow over the deadly bombardments by Iran.
The Israeli navy escorted the Birthright Israel ship, with 1,500 people on board, on its ten-hour voyage Tuesday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered four jets to pick up the Americans and fly them to Tampa, where they can return home.
There are nearly 2,800 people on birthright trips in Israel — the vast majority being young Americans, the nonprofit Birthright Israel said.
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announced on Sunday, “If you are a student currently visiting Israel on Birthright or a parent trying to find a way for your student to travel back to the United States safely, fill out this form! Florida is making sure Americans are able to evacuate.”
If you are a student currently visiting Israel on Birthright or a parent trying to find a way for your student to travel back to the United States safely, fill out this form! Florida is making sure Americans are able to evacuate. https://t.co/7oAsqADTzP
— Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) June 15, 2025
“Birthright has evacuated 1,500 Americans stranded by the Israel-Iran war to Cyprus via a 13-hour cruise escorted by the Israeli Navy. From there, they’ll fly to Tampa on planes chartered by Florida @GovRonDeSantis before returning home. Birthright is covering all transportation costs,” Aviva Klompas, CEO of Boundless, a pro-Israel education group, announced.
Birthright has evacuated 1,500 Americans stranded by the Israel-Iran war to Cyprus via a 13-hour cruise escorted by the Israeli Navy.
From there, they’ll fly to Tampa on planes chartered by Florida @GovRonDeSantis before returning home. Birthright is covering all transportation…
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) June 17, 2025
Thank you to Florida governor Ron DeSantis @RonDeSantis for helping repatriate 1,500 young Americans from their birthright trips in Israel. pic.twitter.com/VlTqquSGgA
— Avi Kaner ابراهيم אבי (@AviKaner) June 17, 2025
The evacuation operation utilized a 13-hour cruise from Ashdod port, with the vessel escorted by the Israeli Navy for security protection. https://t.co/uxTTTw8suG#birthright #iranwar #iran
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) June 17, 2025
However, many on social media are criticizing the young people’s behavior on the cruise ship, considering that Iran has been raining missiles down on Israel.
1,500 Israeli citizens who had been stranded were evacuated to Cyprus aboard a cruise ship.
This video—showing passengers enjoying a vacation-like scene while Iran launches missiles at Israel—feels more surreal than a Birthright parody sketch.
Follow TJNEWS for updates:… pic.twitter.com/tAmrQVo4Qp
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) June 17, 2025
READ MORE from the New York Post.
