**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

October 13, 2023

CONTACT: Emilia.Rowland@mail.house.gov

Summer Lee & Her Team Offer Assistance to Constituents Seeking Safe Departure from Israel

WASHINGTON, DC – US Congresswoman Summer Lee released the following statement after the announcement that starting today, October 13th, the U.S. government will begin arranging charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and unable to seek a safe means of departing Israel.

Our office has also been hard at work with the state department to help families travel safely from Israel to the United States. We are in the process of helping multiple families from Pittsburgh – including a family with a toddler – return safely from Israel back to the United States.

For immediate assistance and to make your needs known, U.S. citizens are urged to complete the crisis intake form available at travel.state.gov. This is a crucial step in ensuring a safe return home and accessing available resources and support.

Lee said to her constituents, “We are here for you. Anyone in our district needing assistance or support during this time is encouraged to reach out to our office. Your safety, security, and well-being are our absolute priority, and we stand ready to assist you in any way possible. Thank you for entrusting my team & I with your safety and allowing us to serve you during this challenging time. Together, we will navigate through this, ensuring every constituent finds their way safely home.”

The State Department anticipates that the initial transport options will assist thousands of U.S. citizens per week, with further augmentations and alternatives being actively explored and developed in the coming days.

Senior State Department officials are also collaborating with airline carriers and global partners to strategize the most effective ways to provide additional options to U.S. citizens aiming to depart Israel or to further travel to the United States.

Updates and further information will be shared in the coming days. To stay informed, U.S. citizens are encouraged to register via this online form to receive subsequent updates as the situation continues to evolve.