LAKEWOOD, NJ – New Jersey’s 30th District legislators, Senator Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Ned Thomson, are calling on the Biden administration to expedite the return of American citizens evacuated from Israel. They also criticized the administration’s policy of leaving these citizens in Europe, potentially at their own expense, after their initial evacuation.
Senator Singer expressed deep concern for the families affected by the ongoing crisis in Israel, particularly those in New Jersey’s Jewish community. “In the wake of this attack, many Americans were unable to evacuate due to flight cancellations and insufficient planes,” Singer said. “It’s deeply troubling that evacuees may have to repay the government for their emergency exit and then find their own way home from Europe. Under these dire circumstances, such fees should be waived and no American should be stranded abroad.”
According to a State Department email cited in news reports, Americans wishing to be evacuated from Israel would first have to sign an agreement to repay the government. Once they land in Europe, they would be responsible for arranging their own subsequent flights home and any required lodging.
Assemblyman Kean criticized the administration for lagging behind other nations in repatriating its citizens. “It’s beyond ridiculous that there are reports of this administration charging Americans to be evacuated from an active warzone and then planning to leave them in Europe,” said Kean. “It is the administration’s responsibility to bring our citizens home when they’re in danger, without additional financial burdens.”
Assemblyman Thomson echoed his colleagues’ sentiments, urging the administration to act more swiftly. “The United States government must move more quickly to ensure our citizens are returned home immediately,” Thomson stated. “While other countries prioritized bringing their citizens home, the Biden administration took a back seat. This can be corrected not only by bringing Americans directly home without charge but also by reconsidering recent financial decisions that fuel global extremism.”
The lawmakers’ statements come on the heels of a press release by New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, who detailed international efforts to safely evacuate citizens, urging the Biden administration to begin chartering direct flights back to the United States for Americans.