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Fox News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee indicates US is working to offer evacuation options
Print Close By Alex Nitzberg Published June 19, 2025 As hostilities continue to rage between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, U.S. Ambassador to the Jewish state Mike Huckabee has indicated work is underway to provide options for Americans who want to evacuate. "American Citizens wanting to evacuate Israel: Sign up at to be on list. We're working to get military, commercial, charter flights & cruise ships for evac. If you're offered a seat, take it. Family in Israel? Tell them stay close to shelter & don't ignore sirens!" Huckabee noted in a post on X. Like prior notices in recent days, the U.S. Embassy in Israel noted in a June 19 security alert it is directing all U.S. government employees and their families to keep sheltering in place. "We will alert the U.S. citizen community if there is additional information to share regarding departure options," the notice states. "If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident currently in Israel or the West Bank and seeking U.S. government assistance to depart, please complete this form so the Department of State can better assist you and provide you with timely updates: 1,500 JEWISH AMERICANS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL AS DESANTIS SPONSORS RESCUE FLIGHTS TO TAMPA The notice explained that, in the event the government provides assistance to Americans seeking to leave Israel, travelers would be expected to repay Uncle Sam but would not be required to pay up front before departing Israel. "If the U.S. government provides departure assistance from Israel, options would most likely include travel to a nearby, safe country. We do not provide direct travel to the United States. You will be responsible for your onward travel after arriving in the nearby, safe country. Consular officers will be available to assist you on arrival with consular services, including a loan to repatriate to the United States if you wish to do so and qualify," the notice explains. "If the U.S. government provides departure assistance from Israel, you do not need to pay before you board, but you will be expected to sign a promissory note to repay the U.S. government. We will tell you the estimated amount you will be expected to repay before you travel. Pets cannot accompany you," it also notes. Another security alert issued Thursday noted, "The Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from crisis areas. We will alert the U.S. citizen community if there is additional information to share regarding departure options. U.S. citizens should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive the latest updates." US EMBASSY IN ISRAEL TELLS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES TO SHELTER IN PLACE AMID IRAN STRIKES CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of American military intervention to help Israel stamp out Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons. "AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" he declared in a Truth Social post Monday. Print Close URL
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
US starts evacuating some diplomats from its embassy in Israel as Iran conflict intensifies
The State Department has begun evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from the U.S. embassy in Israel as hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify and there is the possibility that the United States could become directly involved in the conflict. Two U.S. officials said a government plane evacuated a number of diplomats and family members who had asked to leave the country Wednesday, shortly before U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on X that the embassy was making plans for evacuation flights and ships for private American citizens. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive diplomatic movements. 'Given the ongoing situation and as part of the embassy's authorized departure status, mission personnel have begun departing Israel through a variety of means,' the State Department said. 'Authorized departure' means that nonessential staff and the families of all personnel are eligible to leave at government expense. There was no indication of how many diplomats and family members departed on the flight.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
State Dept. Says It Is Working to Get Americans Out of Israel
The United States Embassy in Jerusalem is working on arranging flights and cruise ships for American citizens looking to leave Israel, the American ambassador, Mike Huckabee, announced on Wednesday, after days in which Americans trying to depart the country could not get evacuation assistance from the embassy. The announcement came as the conflict between Israel and Iran continued for a sixth day and fears grew that the United States could more directly enter the conflict. Israel and Iran have closed their airspaces since the fighting began, leaving foreigners visiting those countries scrambling to find avenues to leave by land or sea as governments around the world have issued travel warnings and urged their citizens to return home. It was not immediately clear when evacuation flights and cruise ships arranged by the State Department would depart or how many passengers would be involved. In a post on social media, Mr. Huckabee directed Americans seeking to leave Israel to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler program to receive information. The announcement was the first from the State Department indicating that the United States would help evacuate its citizens from Israel since the country began a surprise attack on Iran on Friday. Israeli strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran, according to Iran's Health Ministry, and retaliatory strikes by Iran have killed at least 24 people in Israel, according to the Israeli government. The State Department had warned of extreme risk in traveling to Israel and authorized some family members and nonessential personnel to depart. But since Friday, the American Embassy in Jerusalem has had little guidance for people trying to leave. 'We have no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time,' the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday, adding it was aware that third parties were helping to arrange some travel but that it was unable to endorse them. Robert Reichelscheimer, an American lawyer who has been visiting Jerusalem with his wife since Thursday, described Mr. Huckabee's announcement as a long-awaited 'acknowledgment that we are here' after what he said had been multiple attempts to reach the U.S. Embassy, as well as senators back home in New York, with no luck. 'I don't expect them to come and rescue me the next day, while missiles are flying,' he said. 'But I do expect the federal government to keep me abreast of what steps are being taken.'
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
State Department cable instructs embassies worldwide to relay U.S. is "not involved" in "unilateral" Israeli strikes on Iran
The U.S. State Department has issued a directive to all of its embassies and consular posts to, "at their discretion," relay or reiterate to their host governments that the United States "is not involved in Israel's unilateral action against targets in Iran and did not provide tanker support," according to a source familiar with its contents. In a communication known as an ALDAC cable — referring to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts — that the source described to CBS News, the department also noted that the United States "remains committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue." The cable stressed embassies should communicate to their international counterparts that the "safety and security of all American citizens remains the top priority for the U.S. government," and that "no government, proxy or independent actor should target American citizens, bases, or infrastructure," also adding, "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon." "The U.S. military remains in a defensive posture to protect U.S. personnel, forces, and infrastructure in the region and to minimize casualties, particularly amid the persistent threat posed by Iranian ballistic missiles," excerpts of the cable said, according to the source. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The internal directive comes amid intensifying waves of assaults by Israel and Iran, whose capital city of Tehran was bombarded on Sunday as the fighting began entering a fourth day. More than 220 Iranians and at least 14 Israelis have been killed in the clashes since they began, according to local authorities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the United States "is a partner in these attacks and must take responsibility." In a security alert issued Sunday, the U.S. State Department announced that its embassies and consulates in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv would remain closed on Monday, in compliance with Israel Home Front Command Guidance. It urged all U.S. government employees and their family members to continue sheltering in place until further notice. Asked as he was departing Washington, D.C., for the Group of 7, or G7, Summit in Canada how the U.S. was working to de-escalate the conflict, President Trump told reporters on Sunday, "I think it's time for a deal, and we'll see what happens." He said the U.S. would continue to support Israel in its defense, with American officials confirming military forces have been operating by land, sea and air to intercept Iranian missiles. In an earlier social media post, Mr. Trump said if U.S. interests were attacked by Iran, "the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before." Mr. Trump's statements came as previously announced nuclear talks between the United States and Iran were called off. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had been slated to travel to Oman on Sunday for a sixth round of direct and indirect negotiations. Iran told mediators in Qatar and Oman it would not negotiate "while under attack," a source with knowledge of the communication told CBS News. —Claire Day contributed reporting
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Trump's anti-DEI mandate will make it hard to recruit new scientists
For half of my 32 years as a professor of chemistry at Ball State University, I was involved in executing a National Science Foundation grant called the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program. Its aim was to encourage a broader participation in the sciences. The LSAMP program identified undergraduate college students who were underrepresented in the sciences and tried to assist them in progressing toward their STEM degree. A primary feature was to provide those students with summer research experiences working side-by-side with a faculty mentor. Repeatedly, studies have shown that research experiences are essential for undergraduates to identify as a scientist. The LSAMP program was extraordinarily successful, producing hundreds of new scientists over the course of its existence, all of whom were American citizens. The program did not interfere with, prohibit or reduce the historical population of undergraduates who participated in summer research or who became scientists. Sadly, the program, established by Congress over 30 years ago, has recently been dissolved, along with other vital programs, due to new guidance restricting federal grants relating to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is hard for some to understand that without a continuous, new source of scientific talent, the US cannot hold onto its economic growth and military security or ensure quality products in manufacturing. A myriad of industries, including paint, food, plastics, pharmaceuticals and aerospace who rely on a constant supply of American scientists expect a shortfall in the not-too distant future. It is difficult to see how we can meet our need for new talent in the sciences after stopping the successful LSAMP program. Patricia Lang is a professor emerita of chemistry at Ball State University. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Trump anti-DEI mandate will make it hard to recruit new scientists | Letters
