Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has been pushing for the immediate evacuation of American citizens stranded in Israel, issued the following statement on the Biden Administration’s announcement that it “will plan” to facilitate “departure assistance:”

            “In response to the multiple requests I have made to the Biden Administration since Saturday, the State Department advised me this afternoon that it is working on ‘plans’ and will be facilitating ‘departure assistance’ over the next few days. 

            I will continue to demand that their ‘plans’ are comprehensive, broadly applicable and for real.

            Earlier today I urged the Biden Administration to stop wasting time and immediately secure the evacuation of US citizens who are stranded in Isarel—as many other countries have already successfully done for thousands of their own citizens.

            My urgent plea came after I first requested evacuation assistance from State Department officials on Saturday and wrote directly to President Biden on Monday urging him to use all appropriate US resources and tools to arrange for their immediate evacuation.

            It appears, now subsequent to my consistent efforts, there may be a break in the State Department’s initial objections and protestations.

            The Biden Administration must act swiftly to catch up for lost time and work around the clock to bring these Americans home. The dangers they face are so grave, and the responsibility of the US Government for their safety so paramount, that their evacuation must be secured now.”

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