As major airlines canceled flights to and from Israel, stranded forty-six members of a US church group are pleading to the US government for help. In the midst of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the California-based church group asked the Biden administration to intervene.
On Saturday, Hamas launched its biggest attack on Israel in the last 50 years. Firing a barrage of rockets, the attacks killed more than 1500 people and wounded thousands of individuals. US officials warned that the conflict could last for weeks or even months.
The Holy Land tour group from Impact Bible Fellowship in California asked the State Department for charter flights that will evacuate them from Israel. Silver Prout who is one of the 46 members of the US church group said, “They need to start getting Americans out.” Prout added, “Where is the State Department?”
Charter Flights
Different countries including Germany, Hungary, and Mexico provided charter flights to rescue their citizens stranded in Israel. However, as of Tuesday night, the State Department has yet to announce how it plans to evacuate Americans out of Israel.
Members of Congress called the attention of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to evacuate Americans out of Israel. 146 members of Congress sent a letter to Blinken saying that they are concerned about the “wellbeing and safety” of Americans who are still in Israel.
The letter read, “Given the rapidly escalating situation as Israel launches a counteroffensive, it is imperative that you use all tools at your disposal to return all U.S. nationals in Israel home who wish to do so.”
The legislators acknowledged the decision of airlines to cancel flights in and out of Israel. The letter read, “We ask that you consider charter flights and military options for evacuation, simultaneously. At this harrowing moment in Israel’s history, it is more important than ever that every American who is looking to return home has the opportunity to do so.”
