Congressman Lawler Slams State Department Response, Calls for Immediate Air Evacuation to Bring Americans Home

Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) roundly criticized the State Department's evacuation plan for Americans in Israel, which makes Americans pay the bill for evacuation from Israel, only provides transportation to a third-party country, and leaves Americans to book their own lodging and return travel to the United States. 

The criticism comes two days after the Congressman's letter to Secretary Blinken demanding answers on the State Department's plan to account for an ensure the safety of American citizens in Israel, as reported by Rockland Daily here. 

"The State Department's half-hearted evacuation of American citizens at their own expense is insulting and infuriating," said Representative Lawler. "These are American citizens who are trapped in a war zone. Hamas terrorists have already murdered more than 20 Americans and are indiscriminately killing civilian men, women, children, and the elderly. They shouldn't be dropped off in some third-party country and left to book their own travel home on their own dime. Poland, Canada, Hungary, Argentina, and the Netherlands have already been sending military planes to evacuate its citizens and bring them home. It is simply inexplicable that we have not done the same. Mr. President, Secretary Blinken, bring these Americans home now!"