Latest news with #BirthrightIsrael
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Tourists evacuated by sea after Israel closes airspace
More than 1,000 young adults on a Birthright Israel heritage trip have been evacuated to Cyprus by cruise ship due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The Crown Iris cruise ship, carrying about 1,500 Birthright Israel participants, arrived in Cyprus after a 13-hour journey from Ashdod Port, escorted by the Israeli navy. Birthright Israel is a free 10-day heritage trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18-26, partly funded by the Israeli government. Nearly 2,800 international participants were stranded in Israel after the country closed its airspace due to the conflict. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has chartered planes to fly evacuated US participants from Cyprus to Tampa, Florida.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
More than 1,000 young tourists stranded in Israel evacuated on luxury cruise ship
More than 1,000 young adults visiting Israel on a heritage trip have been evacuated to Cyprus by luxury cruise ship amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Crown Iris, an Israeli cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, arrived in Cyprus today (17 June) with approximately 1,500 program participants of Birthright Israel onboard. The ship's 13-hour journey from Ashdod Port, south of Tel Aviv, to Larnaca, Cyprus, was escorted across the Mediterranean by the Israeli navy. Birthright Israel, an organisation part funded by the Israeli government, is a free 10-day 'heritage trip' to Israel for Jewish young adults aged between 18 and 26. Nearly 2,800 international participants had been stranded in Israel since the country first attacked Iran's nuclear sites and capital of Tehran on Friday morning, escalating regional tensions. The majority of these are young adults from the United States, said the organisation. Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis chartered four wide-body planes to fly all evacuated US participants from the Cyprus port to Tampa, Florida. In an update on 13 June, Birthright Israel said: 'All participants are safe, currently located near secure zones and shelters, and are being closely cared for by the operational teams and staff on the ground.' According to Birthright Israel, evacuation efforts 'whether by air or sea' will continue for the remaining international participants in Israel. It said that priority had been given to participants towards the end of their 10-day educational experience. Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel, said: 'This was a complex and emotional operation, carried out under immense pressure, and we are proud to have brought 1,500 young adults safely to Cyprus. Our team continues to work around the clock to secure solutions for the remaining participants still in Israel.'
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Hundreds of Americans on Israel birthright trips evacuated after surviving bombardment by Iran
Hundreds of Americans on Israel birthright trips have been evacuated from the Jewish state on a cruise ship bound for Cyprus — as fears grow over the deadly bombardments by Iran. The Israeli navy escorted the Birthright Israel ship, with 1,500 people on board, on its ten-hour voyage Tuesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered four jets to pick up the Americans and fly them to Tampa, where they can return home. 4 Birthright evacuees at Ashdod port on June 17, 2025. Erez Uzir, courtesy of Birthright Israel 4 The destruction in the northern Israeli city of Tamra, on June 17, 2025. AFP via Getty Images There are nearly 2,800 people on birthright trips in Israel — the vast majority being young Americans, the nonprofit Birthright Israel said. 4 Birthright evacuees safely moved after airstrikes in Israel. Erez Uzir, courtesy of Birthright Israel One New Yorker on board said that tensions were mixed over the Iranian ballistic missile strikes that cut the group's Israeli tour short. 'Some are like me and calm while others are scared,' Jaxon Zemachson, 20, of Scaresdale, told The Post. 4 Birthright Israel program participants were evacuated to Cyprus amid Israel's conflict with Iran. Erez Uzir, courtesy of Birthright Israel 'For me the whole experience has made for a great story to tell my kids. I have honestly been pretty calm about the whole thing, like the Israelis,' he added. 'The first missile attack was a bit scary but from there it was much calmer.'
