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.
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