Latest news with #CrownIris
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Thousands of young tourists stranded in Israel evacuated on a luxury cruise ship to Cyprus
More than 1,000 young tourists, from all over the world, have been evacuated from Israel by luxury cruise ship following the escalation of hostilities with Iran. Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, set sail with 1,500 participants from the Birthright Israel programme, a not-for-profit outfit offering educational group trips. The passengers were taken to Larnaca, Cyprus, in a secretive operation. The cruise ship has been escorted by the Israeli Navy to ensure its safety. From the Mediterranean island, participants from the US – which make up the bulk of young adults – will be flown to Florida on planes chartered by the state's governor, Ron DeSantis, according to a statement from the organisation. '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,' said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel. 'Our team continues to work around the clock to secure solutions for the remaining participants still in Israel.' Mandi Kuran, from Melbourne, Australia, was among those rescued on Crown Iris. 'We had the opportunity to truly dance again with 1,500 of our brothers and sisters (and children because #weold) and are now safely in Cyprus,' she wrote on Facebook. 'On our way home to our family and friends; we were safely escorted by the Israeli Navy the entire way. 'Forever grateful to the Israeli government and Birthright to get us out safely and on our way home to our families.' Josh Goldberg, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, shared on social media ahead of the evacuation that his group was getting 'bombed all night' but that in 'a crazy turn of events' he was on board the ship to Cyprus. He added: 'With some major political string pulling, Birthright Israel Foundation chartered a full on cruise ship from Israel to Cyprus with Israeli naval escort, and from there, thanks to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis 1000+ Birthright Participants from all over the world are getting picked up by the Florida national guard and airlifted to Tampa!!!! 'Never in my wildest dreams was this on my bingo card for this summer!' There were a total of 2,800 Birthright visitors in the country when Israel launched its strike on Iran last Friday (13 June). Those who didn't leave on the ship have left by other means or are staying in Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post. Thousands waiting to head to Israel this summer have had their trips scrapped or postponed, and a large event for the organisation's 25th anniversary has been cancelled. Israel's airspace has been closed since Israel and Iran began trading attacks, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled. However, Israel's airlines said on 17 June that they had received government permission to start flights to bring back people who had been stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran. Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home.
West Australian
9 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Israel brings home stranded citizens after Iran strike
Israel has begun flying home citizens stranded abroad, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. "We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home," Transport Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. "We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely." Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose Crown Iris ship carries 2000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Israel brings home stranded citizens after Iran strike
Israel has begun flying home citizens stranded abroad, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. "We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home," Transport Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. "We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely." Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose Crown Iris ship carries 2000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after Iran strike
Passengers from the Crown Iris, a cruise ship, board a bus at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou Passengers from the Crown Iris, a cruise ship, wait to board buses at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou Passengers from the Crown Iris, a cruise ship, board buses at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou A view of the Crown Iris, a vessel which will be used to assist in the departure of Israelis from Cyprus, is seen off the coast of Larnaca, Cyprus June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou TEL AVIV - Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. "We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home," Transportation Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. "We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely," she added. Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure the arriving passengers exited the airport quickly. They were shuttled to their parked vehicles or transported via train and bus to city centres nationwide. The operation is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and security assessments, with an emphasis on the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft, a spokesperson for the airports authority said. Relatives were advised to avoid travelling to airports for security reasons. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose "Crown Iris" ship carries 2,000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
