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First ‘DeSantis Airlines’ flight from Israel lands in Tampa – governor on tarmac to greet evacuees

October 16, 2023 | | Print Article

Desperate Americans trying to leave Israel have Gov. Ron DeSantis to thank for getting them home, no thanks to the Biden administration and despite criticism from the Florida Republican’s detractors.

Even as critics panned his plan to intervene in the open hostilities in Israel where Hamas terrorists have brutally slaughtered over 1,300 civilians including Americans, DeSantis made good on his promise to send planes to retrieve Floridians. On Sunday evening, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate and his wife, Casey DeSantis, were on hand in Tampa to welcome back nearly 300 Americans who flew home from Tel Aviv.

“Once the plane landed in Tampa, evacuees were able to access resources from multiple state agencies. Additionally, the governor is sending medical supplies, hygiene products, clothing and children’s toys to Israel to help impacted Israelis,” a news release from DeSantis’ office said.

Ahead of the arrival of the flight on what some dubbed “DeSantis Airlines,” the governor posted a video to X from Tampa International Airport.

“We’re here at Tampa airport. We are having our first flight of people being rescued from Israel and it’s landed. Over 260 people that wanted to get back to the United States and couldn’t do it … so we stepped up and led. We’re happy to be able to deliver this,” he said.

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“The rescuees included 91 children and four dogs, Stern said. Many people on the plane cried when it touched down in Tampa,” CBS News reported, citing comments made to reporters by Bryan Stern, CEO of the search and rescue non-profit organization that enabled the flight.

An executive order signed by DeSantis last week cleared the way for the Florida Division of Emergency Management to retrieve the stranded  Floridians while also delivering needed supplies to Israel.

“I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not — get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge,” the governor said in a press release on Sunday.

DeSantis’s swift move to bring Americans home was initially met with smears from critics, including former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger who offered no ideas of his own but was quick to scoff at the governor.

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Not only did Kinzinger get raked over the coals for his disparaging take, but he and others were left eating crow after the plane touched down in Tampa Sunday. And it seems the offer to those in Israel is not limited to just Floridians.

“If you are stranded in Athens and in need of safe transportation back to the United States, we may be able to assist you. Please complete our form at http://FloridaDisaster.org/Israel and share it with anyone who may need assistance,” Florida’s Division of Emergency Management posted on X.

Amid the applause on social media for DeSantis getting the job done were reminders of how President Joe Biden’s administration continues to disappoint.

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Frieda Powers
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