‘Help Is on the Way’: Gov. Ron DeSantis Puts Words Into Action With Executive Order on Israel Aid

There are elected officials who do a lot of talking and posturing, and there are those who actually put their words into action.

As we've documented extensively here, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is the action type, something he demonstrated Thursday with an executive order he signed reaffirming his previously stated support for Israel that cleared the way for rescue flights for Floridians trapped in Israel as well as deliveries of supplies to the country:

Today I signed an executive order authorizing rescue operations in Israel to bring Floridians home and transport supplies to our allies.

We will not leave our residents behind.

To the many Floridians who are stuck in Israel, trying to get home — help is on the way.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 12, 2023

BREAKING: FL Governor @GovRonDeSantis signs executive order, authorizing planes to be sent to Israel to rescue stranded Floridians & deliver supplies. pic.twitter.com/BEtbUItREZ
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 12, 2023

Inbox:

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an Executive Order on Thursday afternoon authorizing the state to carry out "logistical, rescue, and evacuation operations" amid the ongoing conflict in Israel. pic.twitter.com/Wvuphk54J0
— Caden DeLisa (@CadDeLisa) October 12, 2023

In it, DeSantis declared that "a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida" over the fact that Jewish people at home and abroad were under threat from Hamas and Hamas sympathizers, and wanted to come home but couldn't.

"There are more than 20,000 Americans, including many Floridians, in Israel who wish to return home but have been prevented from doing so" because of commercial airline restrictions, the EO noted. DeSantis also referenced that Florida "is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world," with many holding dual citizenship and having relatives and business interests in Israel.

DeSantis also criticized the Biden administration in the EO for lack of action and information on their plans for rescue operations:

WHEREAS, unlike the governments of other countries, the Biden administration has failed to launch any form of rescue or evacuation operations for Americans, including Floridians, stranded in the region, and has failed to provide information requested by the State of Florida about any plans for such operations...

On the same afternoon the EO was announced, the Biden White House made its own announcement about evacuation plans, as RedState reported earlier.

"...beginning tomorrow, the United States government will arrange charter flights to provide transportation from Israel to sites in Europe," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during the daily press briefing.

He added:

They're still working through some of the details of that, to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have, for whatever reason, not been able to provide commercial transit out of the country. And I would add that we're also exploring other options to expand the capacity of doing this, including exploring whether it's possible to help Americans leave by land and by sea.

DeSantis' full Executive Order, which gives authority to the Florida Division of Emergency Management to carry out and coordinate all necessary rescue/supply flights, and which also activates the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard "to respond to the emergency ... as needed," can be read here.