DeSantis Airlifts 1,500 Americans to Safety as Iran Bombs Civilians in Israeli Cities

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As bombs fall on Israel and Iranian aggression intensifies, Gov. Ron DeSantis is stepping in to evacuate 1,500 young Americans trapped in the conflict. With Israeli airspace shut down, Florida arranged flights from Cyprus to bring them home.

Key Facts:

  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dispatched four planes to evacuate 1,500 Americans from Cyprus after they fled Israel amid Iranian airstrikes.
  • The evacuees were mostly Birthright Israel participants, young American Jews on heritage trips caught in the war zone.
  • Mano Maritime’s Crown Iris cruise ship transported them from Ashdod, Israel, to Larnaca, Cyprus under Israeli naval escort.
  • State Sen. Jay Collins, a former Green Beret, traveled to Israel to aid further rescue efforts through the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation.
  • DeSantis previously launched similar evacuations in 2023 following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks.

The Rest of The Story:

As Iran bombs Israel, targeting civilians, Florida’s leadership stepped in.

Birthright Israel, an organization that brings young Jewish Americans to the Holy Land, found itself scrambling to get its participants to safety.

Iranian airstrikes had shut down Israeli airspace, cutting off standard means of escape.

In a dramatic maritime rescue, the Israeli Navy escorted the Crown Iris from Ashdod to Cyprus, carrying 1,500 young adults.

“It was a complex and emotional operation, carried out under immense pressure,” said Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark.

Once they reached Larnaca, Cyprus, Gov. Ron DeSantis arranged four wide-body planes to bring the evacuees home.

Sen. Jay Collins of Tampa also flew to Israel to assist in broader evacuation missions.

His group, Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, aims to help even more Americans reach safety.

DeSantis’ recent actions echo his 2023 mission after the October 7 Hamas attacks, when he brought hundreds home from Tel Aviv.

Commentary:

Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to show strong, compassionate leadership when it matters most.

These young American Jews, caught in a brutal war, found themselves stranded far from home.

Florida’s response, led by DeSantis, was swift and effective.

Organizing a complex extraction during an international crisis is no small feat.

The coordination between the cruise ship evacuation and emergency flights from Cyprus was a clear demonstration of planning and purpose.

Sen. Jay Collins deserves recognition as well.

Rather than observe from afar, he traveled to Israel himself to assist.

His military background and service-minded commitment brought additional confidence and resolve to the mission.

The young people rescued, and their families back home, will never forget what these leaders did.

As Iran continues to bomb civilian targets—including residential areas and hospitals—Israel remains extremely dangerous.

Yet even under such conditions, brave American officials stepped forward to bring our people home.

The Bottom Line:

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Jay Collins led a successful operation to bring 1,500 young American Jews home from a war zone in Israel.

Their leadership and urgency ensured safe passage during an increasingly dangerous situation.

With civilians under constant threat from Iranian attacks, this rescue mission was a lifesaving effort—and a powerful reminder of what bold state-level leadership can do.

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