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A luxury cruise ship carrying more than 1,500 young tourists arrived in Cyprus this week after a covert evacuation from Israel, as hostilities between Israel and Iran intensified.
The Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, was deployed to rescue participants in the Birthright Israel program, an educational initiative that brings young Jewish adults to Israel. The ship, escorted by the Israeli Navy for security, transported the group to the Mediterranean port city of Larnaca.
“This was a complex and emotional operation, carried out under immense pressure, and we are proud to have brought 1,500 young adults safely to Cyprus,” said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel.
The tourists, mostly from the United States, are expected to fly home on chartered planes organized by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Some participants hailed from countries as far as Australia.
Israel’s airspace has remained largely closed since its strike on Iran on June 13, leading to widespread flight cancellations. More than 2,800 Birthright participants were in the country at the time. Those not evacuated by sea have either left by other means or remain in Israel.
The Jerusalem Post reported that tens of thousands of summer trips to Israel have now been canceled or postponed. A major event marking the organization’s 25th anniversary has also been scrapped.
Meanwhile, Israeli airlines said Monday they received government clearance to begin repatriation flights for more than 50,000 citizens stranded abroad.
Cyprus, just over 200 miles from Israel’s coast, has emerged as a critical staging ground for international evacuations during the crisis.
With information from Daily Mail.
