Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday an effort to rescue Floridians who are trying to leave Israel amid its war with Hamas terrorists.
The announcement by DeSantis, a Republican, is part of an executive order he signed to respond to Hamas terrorists’ surprise attack Saturday on Israel, which left hundreds killed, maimed, or kidnapped, according to a copy of the governor’s order.
Initially, President Joe Biden instructed Americans seeking to leave Israel by booking their own commercial flights.
The Biden administration announced plans Thursday to start coordinating evacuation charter flights beginning Friday.
The White House said Thursday that 27 Americans are dead in Israel and 14 others are unaccounted for.
DeSantis signed a document called Executive Order 23-208 (Emergency Management–Impacts of War in Israel).
“There are more than 20,000 Americans, including Floridians, in Israel who wish to return home but are unable to do so,” DeSantis said in a written statement.
“This executive order allows the state of Florida to carry out logistical, rescue, and evacuation operations to keep its residents safe. Specifically, this order enables the Florida Division of Emergency Management to bring Floridians home and transport necessary supplies to Israel,” DeSantis said.
[Over 720,000 Jews make Florida their home, according to the Jewish Virtual Library.]
Israel declared war on Hamas after Saturday’s surprise attack and as the terrorist organization fired more than 5,000 rockets toward the Jewish state.
Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation
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