As the USS Gerald Ford and its carrier strike force head toward Israel, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Gov. Kathy Hochul are working to get New Yorkers out of harm’s way and back to the United States.
AP file photo by Andrew Vaughan
At least nine Americans were killed in Israel since Hamas militants launched a sneak attack from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Gov. Kathy Hochul are working to assist New Yorkers trying to escape the gathering storm.
The congresswoman, who is New York’s senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee — which has oversight of funds to the U.S. State Department — has called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to help get her constituents out of Israel and back home to Queens. With most flights canceled or sold out due to the horrific attacks, Meng fired off a letter to Blinken early Monday urging him to do all he can to ensure their safe arrival home.
“Since Hamas’ indiscriminate attack on Israel Saturday morning, my office has received harrowing reports from constituents who remain in Israel and are seeking to return to the United States as soon as possible,” Meng wrote. “I write to express my sincere concern for their well-being and safety. While I appreciate the steps the Biden administration is taking to provide additional security assistance to Israel, I urge the State Department to use all resources at its disposal to help those Americans that remain in Israel return to the United States.”
Meng also asked the Secretary for updates on ensuring that commercial flights remain accessible to all Americans who remain in Israel, and to consider other options for evacuation including chartered flights or military aircraft.
“As you are aware, airlines have canceled most flights out of Ben Gurion Airport and some have suspended operations in the region,” she wrote. “As the number of casualties continues to rise, my constituents who remain in Israel fear for their lives. At this…
Read the full article here
