WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a closed-door briefing this morning, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, pushed Biden Administration officials for the immediate evacuation of American citizens stranded in Israel. The push comes amid escalating violence in the region, particularly from Hamas, which Smith described as “absolutely savage, antisemitic terrorist attacks.”
Smith praised countries like Poland, Romania, Hungary, and others for already initiating successful evacuations of their citizens using state-owned and chartered flights. Poland evacuated 670 citizens using the Polish Air Force, while Romania managed to bring back 569 of its nationals using both private and state-owned aircraft.
Earlier this week, Rep. Smith sent a strongly-worded letter to President Biden, urging the administration to “use all appropriate U.S. resources and tools” to facilitate the immediate evacuation of Americans who wish to leave Israel. “Every American who is looking to return home must have the opportunity to do so,” said Smith, who noted his office has been contacted by hundreds of constituents who are either seeking to leave Israel or know someone who is stranded.
Smith expressed urgency in his correspondence, highlighting that most airlines have canceled flights out of Israel with little information on when they might resume. “Remaining flights do not suffice to evacuate the large number of U.S. nationals in Israel, and the Administration should consider engaging or facilitating chartered flights to get our citizens home,” he wrote.
“The dangers these U.S. citizens face are so grave, and the responsibility of the U.S. Government for their safety so paramount, that their evacuation must be secured immediately,” Smith emphasized. The Congressman’s call for action underscores the urgency felt among lawmakers and citizens alike as the situation continues to evolve.