In the days after Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel and major airlines suspended their operations out of the country, thousands of panicked Americans tried to get help from the State Department. When those requests fell on deaf ears, they also reached out to their representatives in Congress, as well as to other nonprofit organizations. Republicans in Florida quickly showed what leadership means, with Rep. Cory Mills heading to the country himself to rescue Americans. Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed an executive order authorizing rescue operations to commence in Israel. Unlike the Biden administration, which finally got around to facilitating charter flights out of Israel (but not to the U.S.) so long as citizens signed an agreement to pay the government back, DeSantis and Mills’ efforts were free of charge for Americans.
But DeSantis wasn’t done helping.
On Tuesday, he announced his administration sent two cargo planes full of supplies to the country as it responds to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.
“With the lack of leadership in Washington, we are stepping up to help our allies in Israel who are in need of supplies and our support,” DeSantis said in a statement. “As we continue to bring back Americans who were stranded in Israel when the war began, we will also keep sending the necessary health care supplies for Israel to care for those who have been injured.”
In total, 85 pallets of supplies will be delivered Wednesday, including medical supplies, clothes, toys, hygiene products, and more.
Two cargo flights loaded with 85 pallets of donated supplies are on their way to Israel.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 17, 2023
Florida stands with the people of Israel, and we will continue to help in any way we can as they fight back against Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/NcF7AxWgXI
“Thanks to the decisive action of Governor DeSantis, the Division was able to quickly coordinate with our Israeli partners and compile needed supplies,” said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “After working with the Israeli Consulate, medical partners and hospitals in Israel, the Division identified what items were most in need to reduce inundation and increase efficiency.”