Florida provides communication resources for Floridians in Israel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Over the weekend, in response to escalation in violence after Hamas launched a barrage of attacks on Israel, Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed his support for Israel and pointed Floridians who may be residing in the country to online resources.

For Floridians currently in Israel, the Florida Department of State urged citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel to fill out this form or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.

They also said Floridians can reach out to Florida Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio.

The U.S. Department of State is also listing travel advisories for the region, including Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. As of Monday morning, the U.S. warned of “active military operations in the Gaza periphery and Gaza” along with “rocket and mortar fire.”

Citizens of the U.S. who are currently in Israel are also urged to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

“The dastardly terrorist attacks perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians by Iran-backed terror group Hamas deserve a swift and lethal response,” DeSantis said Saturday. “Israel not only has the right to defend itself against these attacks, it has a duty to respond with overwhelming force.”

“I stand with Israel. America must stand with Israel.”

Scott also decried the Hamas attacks against Israel.

“Israel is under attack and being invaded,” he said. “Israeli women and children are being murdered and dragged through the streets of Gaza by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists.”

In another statement, Rubio denounced the attacks, calling for “those responsible” to be “held accountable.”

“The cowardly terrorist attack on Israeli civilians must be condemned without equivocation and those responsible must be held accountable,” he said.