Rep. Gillen Leads Colleagues Demanding Secretary Rubio Reverse Decision to Abandon Americans in Israel

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), alongside U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and 19 of her House colleagues, demanded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio resume emergency evacuations and assistance for U.S. citizens in Israel after abruptly halting the State Department's crisis response. In their letter to Rubio, the lawmakers demand that the Department develop a clear plan for resuming charter flights, reopen its Crisis Intake form, activate the Department's Crisis Task Force, and provide clear guidance to Americans in Israel attempting to return home safely.

"Thousands of Americans, currently in Israel, are unable to access flights home and are not being offered alternative travel options or any additional assistance by the State Department. Additionally, the Department's inconsistent guidance and lack of responsiveness have added to uncertainty and fear, making the situation even more dire for impacted families," said the lawmakers.

Rep. Gillen and her colleagues highlight the uncertainty their constituents are facing, including being directed to commercial airlines to find flights home, which currently takes several weeks to secure a reservation, or having to travel hours to cross the border into Egypt to find other transportation options. This has left many Americans, including seniors, families with young children, and students, without real options.

"The resources and guidance being provided to our constituents are causing frustration, anxiety, and fear. The State Department must do much more to bring Americans home from Israel safely and as soon as possible," concluded the lawmakers.

Rep. Gillen was joined on the letter by Senator Chuck Schumer and Representatives Yvette Clarke, Herbert Conaway, Donald Davis, Daniel Goldman, Josh Gottheimer, Julie Johnson, Greg Landsman, George Latimer, John Mannion, Grace Meng, Joseph Morelle, Jared Moskowitz, Jerrold Nadler, Johnny Olszewski Jr., Patrick Ryan, Bradley Schneider, Haley Stevens, Thomas Suozzi, and Ritchie Torres.

The text of the letter is available HEREand below.

Dear Secretary Rubio:

We were shocked to learn this week that as the military conflict in Iran escalates and continues to threaten the safety of U.S. citizens in the Middle East, the State Department has abruptly and effectively ended emergency evacuations for Americans out of Israel. The State Department must take immediate steps to help Americans return home by:

1. Resuming charter flights.

2. Reopening the Department's Crisis Intake Form.

3. Activating the Department's Crisis Task Force to assist all Americans who wish to depart Israel.

Thousands of Americans, currently in Israel, are unable to access flights home and are not being offered alternative travel options or any additional assistance by the State Department. Additionally, the Department's inconsistent guidance and lack of responsiveness have added to uncertainty and fear, making the situation even more dire for impacted families.

As of this writing, the State Department has ceased providing charter flights or buses and instead has urged all Americans to exclusively rely on commercial transportation, or, in an emergency, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. We are advised, however, that El Al does not have the capacity to offer enough flights to bring all constituents home and has now closed the emergency intake form that the Department directed citizens to use. This has left many Americans, including seniors, families with young children, and students, without real options. In addition, it has impacted many observant Jews who are unable to travel on the Sabbath. In the midst of a conflict, U.S. citizens should not have to wait weeks to be able to board a commercial flight or cross the Israeli border into another country to find their way home. It is unacceptable for the State Department to leave them on their own.

In addition, the State Department has inexplicably closed its own Crisis Intake Form, which thousands of Americans have relied on in the last few weeks to receive timely information and coordinate emergency assistance and evacuation. While the State Department directed constituents to register to fly with El Al, the airline has also since closed its form. Our offices would be glad to provide you with contact information for thousands of constituents who are currently seeking to return home from Israel. As Israel continues to face threats from hostilities with Iran, the State Department cannot abandon American citizens abroad. Failing to assist Americans in their time of need is totally unacceptable.

We urge the State Department to prioritize the safety and security of Americans through the following actions:

1. Develop and detail a plan to restart charter flights from Israel and other countries in the region where U.S. citizens are seeking safety immediately.

2. Re-open the State Department's Crisis Intake form to receive new entries.

3. Provide clear guidance for U.S. citizens who choose to return to the United States through commercial air travel.

The resources and guidance being provided to our constituents are causing frustration, anxiety, and fear. The State Department must do much more to bring Americans home from Israel safely and as soon as possible.

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