Governor DeSantis Provides Update on Florida's Israel Evacuation Efforts at Tampa Airport

TAMPA, FL – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference at Tampa International Airport on Friday morning, providing an update on the state's efforts to evacuate Jewish Americans from Israel. The Governor announced that over 1,500 individuals, including students and participants in birthright programs, have already been successfully brought out of the region. DeSantis described the evacuation as "probably the most challenging and logistically difficult mission" undertaken by the Florida Department of Emergency Management during his tenure. He emphasized the importance of bringing Floridians and other Americans home from the difficult situation in Israel, stating, "We're here to really celebrate the return home of many of our fellow Floridians and fellow Americans from a very difficult situation over in Israel." The Governor highlighted that many of those evacuated were visiting or studying in Israel, or participating in programs like the Israel Birthright program, experiencing the country for the first time. He noted that the evacuees would be going to various destinations, with Florida bringing in planeloads of people.