Meng Thanks State Department And President Biden For Arranging Charter Flights To Help Americans Seeking To Leave Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, today thanked the State Department and President Biden for agreeing to arrange charter flights to help U.S. citizens leave Israel.

Since the unprecedented, heinous attack by Hamas, Meng has spearheaded two letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking him to use all resources at the Department’s disposal to help Americans seeking to return from Israel, including the use of charter flights.

Meng sent the first letter on Monday. The second letter, a bipartisan letter co-led with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) and signed by nearly 150 Members of Congress, was sent on Tuesday.

“I am pleased that the Department of State has agreed to arrange charter flights to help Americans in Israel,” said Meng. “Since the outset of this brutal and unprovoked assault by Hamas, constituents have been reaching out to my office seeking assistance to leave the country since the airlines have cancelled most commercial flights out of Israel. This is a good first step and I appreciate the administration’s responsiveness to my calls for this additional support for U.S. citizens in Israel. Thank you to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken.”

Those requiring departure assistance should fill out the State Department’s crisis intake form if they haven’t done so already, a link to which is included here. Flights are slated to begin today. Those seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can fill out the form as well or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.

U.S. citizens in Israel can also enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for ongoing updates. The latest security alerts can be viewed here.

Meng’s office continues to be available to assist constituents with any questions and concerns they might have.