U.S. Embassy in Israel offering evacuations on flights and ships to American citizens

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

June 18, 2025 / 11:49 AM EDT


Washington — The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is working on dispatching evacuation flights and cruise ships for American citizens who wish to leave Israel amid the country's ongoing conflict with Iran, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Michael Huckabee announced Wednesday.

The announcement comes in the sixth day of the Israel-Iran war, which saw fresh exchanges of strikes overnight into Wednesday. The U.S. State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Israel to a Level 4 "do not travel," the highest travel warning possible.

"Urgent notice! American citizens wanting to leave Israel- US Embassy in Israel ... is working on evacuation flights & cruise ship departures," Huckabee wrote on X. "You must enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). You will be alerted w/ updates."

It's not yet clear when the flights and cruise ships will be available, but it is the first announcement from the State Department that the federal government will facilitate evacuations for U.S. citizens. On Wednesday, President Trump signaled the possibility of joining Israel in its strikes on Iran.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-embassy-israel-evacuations-american-citizens/

[walkingman]

1. Another reason I am against dual citizenship - make up your mind.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Why?

My husband has long term health impacts from his time in the Italian Marines. They pay for for levothyroxin.

If he gave up his citizenship, he'd be in the same hell my dad was as an American Veteran.

Why would you want a new American who owns property and is eligible for military pension and health care up just because they obtained citizenship in another country?

[walkingman]

6. I hear ya - perhaps we should fix our healthcare system so everyone

has access to healthcare based on needs and not money. In this case I was referring to the evac of US citizens living in Israel. It presents security risks and complicates our geopolitical interests. If you willingly move to another country then in my opinion you are not an "active US citizen" and the US is under no obligation to protect you at that point.

I know there are pros and cons, but I think it really does complicate our interests for no reason. BTW - I do wish, of late, that I had citizenship in the UK or EU - I would be outta here because I do not see this nation as something I am very proud of these days. I know it could be short term, but I have been watching it deteriorate for the last 50 years so I don't think it will get much better.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. You know what my family and I were in 2017 in Germany?

AMERICAN CITIZENS!

Know what we were in Ireland? Iceland? Poland?

AMERICAN CITIZENS!

American citizens, even those of us WITHOUT dual citizenship are still, you guessed it: AMERICAN CITIZENS!

So, the call for American citizens to leave Israel doesn't mean they are DUAL citizens.

American citizens were told to flee Russia, Ukraine, and various other locales in just the past few years.

And why should YOU or anyone else determine where an AMERICAN CITIZEN can and can't live?!

[walkingman]

10. So basically you don't agree with me....OK

I think you might be distorting what I was saying. I was referring to those with dual citizenship who have opted to live in another country, become a citizen of that country, and then expect the US to continue to protect them.

Just my opinion ☮

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Not at all.

It is apparent what your "issue" is, what I am pointing out is there are American citizens everywhere. Furthermore, I find your "concern" about dual citizens...interesting. So, if the tyrant wannabe squatting in the White House gets even worse, I am guessing if other countries told their citizens to evacuate, you'd have no issue with it. And, as long as they maintain an American citizenship, then yes, the US should protect them. Just my opinion.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. That fix won't happen

In my Giovanni's lifetime. He's 56.

I'm also a dual citizen - via marriage. I own land in the USA (serious Agribusiness, a Home, land in Costa Rica) . . .

We are 'global' people so we don't color inside the USA lines. Was born in West Germany and spent my first five years there.

Think it is the influence of being married to someone in the EU. People are fluid these days. The world is small. Go where you will, be a good citizen/resident, connect with people.

[Mossfern]

7. You do know that there are many Americans visiting Israel

who do not have dual citizenship.

I know someone who was in Israel for a two week project that began 3 days before the war started.
This person has not been able to return home.
You are making assumptions.... and you know what they say about assumptions.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Wish I had seen your post before I made mine.

[Bayard]

2. You can keep Huckabee if you want, though...

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Good

A dear friends daughter, children, and Israeli husband were supposed to leave on June 21st. Hopefully they can get out.

[FloridaBlues]

5. Hopefully the people will leave sooner rather then later.