State Department says it has provided guidance to more than 25,000 people in Israel, West Bank and Iran
The State Department said Friday it had provided "information and support" to over 25,000 people in Israel, the West Bank or Iran seeking guidance on what to do and how to get out.
When pressed on the matter during a State Department briefing Friday afternoon, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to go into further detail about how many of those 25,000 people are American citizens or any other breakdown of the number.
News of the number of people the State Department has assisted comes after the agency announced the formation of a task force to assist Americans looking to leave Israel or other Middle Eastern countries.
Bruce said during a press briefing Friday that the United States does not intend to help transport American citizens directly from Iran, and they will have to make it out first before they can be assisted by the government.
Tugboats, Cruise Ships And Flights: Israel Begins Emergency Evacuation Of Citizens Amid Iran War
United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said earlier this week the embassy in Jerusalem was "working on evacuation flights & cruise ship departures" for Americans trying to leave Israel.
Read On The Fox News App
Huckabee released his statement hours after the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem wrote in its own X post that there was "no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time," but it simultaneously acknowledged "the Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from crisis areas."
So far, the U.S. has not engaged in a large-scale effort to help Americans get out of Israel. But, according to ABC News, the military did assist in flying some American diplomats and family members from the U.S. Embassy this week.
1,500 Jewish Americans Evacuated From Israel As Desantis Sponsors Rescue Flights To Tampa
Private flights for American citizens did begin landing in Florida Thursday after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dispatched four planes to pick up U.S. citizens stuck in Israel during the ongoing violence. Other private options to get out of Israel are also available.
On Monday, the State Department raised its travel warning for Israel to the highest level possible.Original article source: State Department says it has provided guidance to more than 25,000 people in Israel, West Bank and Iran
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
27 minutes ago
- New York Post
Jewish New Yorkers rip Gov. Hochul for failing to help evacuate those stranded in Israel amid conflict with Iran
Gov. Hochul has done 'nothing' to evacuate New Yorkers stranded in Israel as missiles from Iran rain down on the country — while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has helped get hundreds of people to safety, angry families told The Post. Frantic calls to Hochul's office this week went unanswered, according to those trying to get their relatives home. 'It wouldn't even occur to Hochul to help constituents stranded in a war zone,' fumed one Long Islander with a teen relative studying in Israel. 'She's doing nothing.' Meanwhile, DeSantis contracted with the nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue to help about 1,500 Americans from multiple states get home. 4 Hochul was accused of 'deafening silence' on the issue of Americans who have been stranded in Israel. Gabriella Bass With Israel's airspace almost completely shut down, about 5,000 Americans have sought help, with the number of requests 'skyrocketing,' according to the rescue group. Desperate, they're taking ships from Israel to Lanarca in Cyprus, or traveling by land to Amman, Jordan and flying to Cyprus in a bid to get to America — all with the help of DeSantis' operation, which arranged for four wide-bodied chartered planes to collect them. So far DeSantis has welcomed two flights. 4 Gov. DeSantis had his state contract with a rescue group to help get Americans home. Getty Images 'She should be doing what DeSantis did — partner with private contractors to get your citizens out,' the frantic relative, who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, said of Hochul. 'She should have organized this already,' the relative added. 'There's no excuse to sit on her hands as she heads the state with the most Jews in the country.' Erika Reichelscheimer said she felt 'completely abandoned' after calling the governor every day to no avail about her elderly parents, who were on a week's vacation in Israel when the conflict erupted June 13. 4 About 1,500 Americans have fled Israel thanks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, he said. Erez Uzir, courtesy of Birthright Israel 'We cannot even get a call back,' said Reichelscheimer. 'Disappointed is an understatement.' 'I haven't even seen Hochul say anything,' said Reichelscheimer, 34, Her dad is running out of his heart medication. Meanwhile her brother, in Israel separately, was able to flee because of DeSantis' efforts, she said. Asked what message she would give to Hochul, a distraught Reichelscheimer begged: 'Please use your vast resources and platform as the governor of New York to help your constituents that are literally in a life or death situation abroad. The silence from your office on this has been deafening.' 'DeSantis is doing what he is supposed to do,' said a Long Island couple whose 18-year-old is stranded and who also requested anonymity. 'We wish Hochul was doing the same.' 4 Elise Stefanik slammed Hochul as a 'disgrace' for failing to get New Yorkers home from Israel. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is believed to be challenging Hochul in the next election, slammed the governor. 'No answers from the Governor. No action. Not even the dignity of a call back. It's an utter disgrace. Kathy Hochul continues to prove she is the worst governor in America,' said Stefanik. 'Just last week, she proudly handed $50 million in New Yorkers' hard-earned taxpayer money to illegal migrants — and now, when actual New Yorkers are trapped in a war zone, she's doing absolutely nothing.' 'It's an absolute farce what's going on and Hochul should be ashamed of herself,' railed former veteran state assemblyman Dov Hikind, who said he's fielded countless phone calls from those looking for help. Hochul is a 'steadfast ally to Israel and to New York's Jewish community,' her spokesman, Avi Small said, adding the administration is 'in active conversations with Governors from other states with large Jewish populations to determine how to coordinate travel for constituents if commercial flights do not resume.' Roughly 1.4 million Jews live in New York state.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Poll shows Trump's clash with courts puts Senate GOP on defense
New polling of likely voters in Senate battleground states has found President Trump's frequent clashes with federal courts are becoming a hot issue that could put Senate Republican candidates on the defensive in 2026. A poll of 1,000 likely voters in 2026 Senate battlegrounds, obtained exclusively by The Hill, found that 53 percent disapprove of Trump's handling of the courts, including 89 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of independents and 39 percent of self-identified non-MAGA Republicans. The poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group, a Democratic-aligned polling firm, on behalf of Demand Justice, a Democratic-aligned judicial advocacy group. The survey found that more than two-thirds of voters, 72 percent, said they are concerned about Trump's response to court orders and 48 percent said they were extremely concerned by what they saw as the president's refusal to obey court orders. The poll found that 68 percent of voters surveyed said they viewed congressional Republicans as helping Trump evade legal norms, and 44 percent said they viewed that dynamic as extremely concerning. It surveyed voters in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. The Senate's two most vulnerable Republican incumbents are Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) is the chamber's most vulnerable Democrat. 'The data is clear: Americans increasingly reject Donald Trump's attacks on the rule of law and the courts. Over two-thirds are concerned about this blatant disregard for court orders and the threat that it poses to the rights of every person in this country,' said Maggie Jo Buchanan, the interim executive director of Demand Justice. 'When Trump treats judicial rulings as mere suggestions instead of legally binding obligations, it sends a chilling message that our legal protections are meaningless,' Buchanan added. 'An overwhelming majority of Americans across the political spectrum are concerned that this calculated defiance sets a precedent where individuals may face unfair trials, see their rights disregarded without consequence, and find themselves powerless to seek justice,' she added. U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia James Boasberg criticized the Trump administration earlier this year for disregarding his order to stop the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. The administration argued the deportation flights had already departed the United States at the time Boasberg issued his order and asserted they later complied with a written order. The Trump White House has also come under criticism for barring a reporter and photographer from The Associated Press from the Oval Office in April despite a court order from U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Trevor McFadden ruling the government could not retaliate against the news agency for refusing to follow Trump's order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. The poll also found 70 percent of voters that Trump's allies in Congress will help him pick judges who will do what he wants instead of acting independently, with 43 percent of respondents saying they're 'extremely' concerned. The poll's sample included 44 percent of self-identified Democrats, 44 percent of self-identified Republicans and 12 percent of self-identified independents. It was conducted between May 28 and June 1 and had a margin of error of 3.1 percent. Updated at 8:43 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
According to Experts, Here's the Trouble With Social Security Privatization
Social Security privatization would transform the Social Security system as it exists today into one in which individuals are responsible for saving for retirement. Wealthier Americans would likely have greater access to the resources necessary to make the most of self-investing. If the Social Security system is privatized, it could be difficult for less affluent workers to save and invest the funds they'll require in retirement. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security privatization refers to a proposal that would switch the current U.S. Social Security system to one that allows individuals to invest a portion of their payroll taxes in private investment accounts. While the subject produces a lot of excitement, here's what experts say could go wrong. The stock market can produce dizzying fluctuations. While the ups and downs are as natural as the sun rising in the East, they may make less experienced investors quite nervous. For example, when a bear market arrives (another regular, natural part of the economic cycle), individual investors may get spooked and pull their money from the market, a move that can ultimately lead to financial loss. While there are flaws in the current "pay into FICA" system, the upside is knowing how much you can expect to receive each month in Social Security benefits. Privatizing Social Security means some people will invest poorly or not know what to do when market fluctuations hit, potentially leaving them without a stable income in retirement. Some people grow up learning about money management while others do not. Privatization may disadvantage those who have limited financial literacy and limited access to advisors who can help them understand the basics. Those who can afford to hire a financial advisor are likely to do so, giving them a significant advantage over those who cannot afford to work with a professional. The wealthier a person is, the more they can afford to take risks and diversify their portfolios. Those with limited income are likely to have fewer options, a reality experts fear will lead to wider gaps in retirement security. In addition, the wealthier a person is, the easier it is to weather market losses and stick with an investment plan. For the parent or caregiver who must take time off work to meet caregiving responsibilities, it will be more challenging to work the hours needed to accumulate the money required to build a sufficient retirement nest egg. It's natural that some of these people will reach retirement age with little savings to fall back on. Solo investing requires a time commitment. For someone without a financial background, there's a huge learning curve as they navigate a complex array of investment options -- and not everyone has that time. For example, a person focused on building a business, advancing in their career, or spending all their free time caring for others may not have the time necessary to immerse themselves in investment knowledge. From its inception in 1935, Social Security was meant to provide economic security for Americans, particularly retirees. The idea was to ensure all Americans have some source of retirement income. Privatization could undermine that social safety net and leave the most vulnerable populations without the support they need in retirement. Experts fear that those who aren't skilled at investing may fall into poverty in retirement without guaranteed benefits to help lift them out of it. The same is true of those who cannot afford to invest adequately or who experience unexpected financial hardship. As attractive as some people find Social Security privatization, it's difficult to ignore the number of Americans who might fall through the cracks, ultimately entering retirement with little to no money. If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. According to Experts, Here's the Trouble With Social Security Privatization was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
