9 hours ago
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.
