Congressman Dan Goldman Urges State Department to Use Every Resource Necessary and Available to Bring Americans Safely Home from Israel

Estimates of New Yorkers Still in Israel Continues to Rise as Commercial Flights Cancelled

Congressman Goldman, Congresswoman Clarke, State Assemblymember Eichenstein Urge U.S. State Department to Take Immediate Action to Help Americans Get Home

Read the Letter Here

Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) was today joined by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09) and New York State Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein (AD-48) in calling on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the U.S. State Department to take immediate action to help American citizens safely and quickly return home from Israel. Many commercial airlines operating between the United States and Tel Aviv have cancelled fights following the brutal and unprovoked terrorist attacks by Hamas that killed over 1,000 people, including at least 22 Americans. Congressman Goldman and his office have been working around the clock to coordinate and assist constituents and family members of constituents who are in Israel and unable to return home safely to American shores.

"This week, our offices joined forces in reaching out to our constituents who have loved ones actively trying to leave Israel but who are unable to do so because all domestic airlines have ceased service to Tel Aviv,” the members wrote. “As elected officials, we feel responsible for the safety and security of those living in our districts and we strongly feel that this should be a top priority for the Department of State.”

Read the full letter here and below:

The Honorable Antony J. Blinken 

Secretary, United States Department of State

U.S. State Department

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Blinken:

As elected officials representing districts in Brooklyn, New York, we are writing to you about an urgent matter affecting thousands of our constituents.

As you are aware, the current war in the Middle East has reached unprecedented levels of cruelty, directed specifically at an innocent civilian population. Unfortunately, we are now faced with tens of thousands of Americans unable to come home as the conflict continues.

This week, our offices joined forces in reaching out to our constituents who have loved ones actively trying to leave Israel but who are unable to do so because domestic airlines have ceased service to Tel Aviv. We strongly urge the State Department to take immediate action to assist American citizens wishing to leave Israel while the war continues, either by ensuring the availability of commercial air travel or with any possible government resources. As elected officials, we feel responsible for the safety and security of those living in our districts and we strongly feel that this should be a top priority for the Department of State.

We look forward to hearing from you, as our constituents eagerly await a safe and quick passage home. Thank you for your attention and leadership on this important and time-sensitive matter.

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