U.S. State Department to Fly Americans out of Israel in Evacuation Plan

The U.S. State Department will be arranging chartered flights to fly American citizens out of Israel to sites in Europe, starting Friday. The details are still being worked out, but the administration expects these initial travel options to facilitate the safe departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week. The U.S. Embassy in Israel indicated that expatriates may be transported by air to Athens or Frankfurt, or by sea from Haifa to Cyprus. Airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines are partnering with the U.S. government to help set up these evacuation flights. The State Department elevated its travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank to "reconsider travel" due to terrorism and civil unrest.