The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has taken significant steps to assist American citizens in leaving Israel as hostilities between Iran and Israel enter their sixth day. Ambassador Mike Huckabee revealed that efforts are underway to arrange evacuation flights and cruise ships for those wishing to depart, following a period of uncertainty and frustration among Americans stranded in the region. With airspace closed and travel warnings issued globally, many are left to seek alternative land or sea routes home. As the situation intensifies with casualties reported on both sides, the embassy's announcement marks a critical development in the evacuation efforts for U.S. nationals.
U.S. Embassy in Israel Moves to Evacuate American Citizens Amid Ongoing Conflict
U.S. Embassy in Israel Moves to Evacuate American Citizens Amid Ongoing Conflict
As fighting escalates between Iran and Israel, the U.S. Embassy announces plans for American evacuations, providing much-needed clarity for citizens seeking to leave.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is working on arranging flights and cruise ships for American citizens looking to leave Israel, the American ambassador, Mike Huckabee, announced on Wednesday, after days in which Americans trying to depart the country could not get evacuation assistance from the embassy. The announcement came as the conflict between Israel and Iran continued for a sixth day and fears grew that the United States could more directly enter the conflict. Israel and Iran have closed their airspaces since the fighting began, leaving foreigners visiting those countries scrambling to find avenues to leave by land or sea as governments around the world have issued travel warnings and urged their citizens to return home.
It was not immediately clear when evacuation flights and cruise ships arranged by the State Department would depart or how many passengers would be involved. In a post on social media, Mr. Huckabee directed Americans seeking to leave Israel to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler program to receive information. The announcement was the first from the State Department indicating that the United States would help evacuate its citizens from Israel since the country began a surprise attack on Iran on Friday. Israeli strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran, according to Iran’s Health Ministry, and retaliatory strikes by Iran have killed at least 24 people in Israel, according to the Israeli government.
The State Department had warned of extreme risk in traveling to Israel and authorized some family members and nonessential personnel to depart. But since Friday, the American Embassy in Jerusalem has had little guidance for people trying to leave. “We have no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time,” the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday, adding it was aware that third parties were helping to arrange some travel but that it was unable to endorse them.
Robert Reichelscheimer, an American lawyer who has been visiting Jerusalem with his wife since Thursday, described Mr. Huckabee’s announcement as a long-awaited “acknowledgment that we are here” after what he said had been multiple attempts to reach the U.S. Embassy, as well as senators back home in New York, with no luck. “I don’t expect them to come and rescue me the next day, while missiles are flying,” he said. “But I do expect the federal government to keep me abreast of what steps are being taken.”
Anushka Patil is a Times reporter covering breaking and developing news around the world.
It was not immediately clear when evacuation flights and cruise ships arranged by the State Department would depart or how many passengers would be involved. In a post on social media, Mr. Huckabee directed Americans seeking to leave Israel to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler program to receive information. The announcement was the first from the State Department indicating that the United States would help evacuate its citizens from Israel since the country began a surprise attack on Iran on Friday. Israeli strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran, according to Iran’s Health Ministry, and retaliatory strikes by Iran have killed at least 24 people in Israel, according to the Israeli government.
The State Department had warned of extreme risk in traveling to Israel and authorized some family members and nonessential personnel to depart. But since Friday, the American Embassy in Jerusalem has had little guidance for people trying to leave. “We have no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time,” the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday, adding it was aware that third parties were helping to arrange some travel but that it was unable to endorse them.
Robert Reichelscheimer, an American lawyer who has been visiting Jerusalem with his wife since Thursday, described Mr. Huckabee’s announcement as a long-awaited “acknowledgment that we are here” after what he said had been multiple attempts to reach the U.S. Embassy, as well as senators back home in New York, with no luck. “I don’t expect them to come and rescue me the next day, while missiles are flying,” he said. “But I do expect the federal government to keep me abreast of what steps are being taken.”
Anushka Patil is a Times reporter covering breaking and developing news around the world.
