Fact Check: "State Department has 'no announcement' on evacuating Americans from Israel."
What We Know
The claim that the State Department has "no announcement" regarding the evacuation of Americans from Israel is partially accurate. On June 15, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert stating that it was not in a position to evacuate or assist Americans in departing Israel due to the ongoing conflict and the closure of Ben Gurion Airport, which left no commercial or charter flights operating (Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem). The alert emphasized that U.S. citizens should consult local authorities and follow security protocols, but did not provide any immediate plans for evacuation.
However, just a few days later, on June 18, 2025, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee announced that the State Department was indeed working on arranging flights and cruise ships for American citizens wishing to leave Israel, marking a significant shift in the embassy's stance (State Dept. Says It Is Working to Get Americans Out of Israel). This announcement indicated that the U.S. government was beginning to take steps to assist its citizens, although details on the timing and logistics were still unclear.
Analysis
The initial statement from the U.S. Embassy that there was "no announcement" about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart Israel was accurate at the time it was made (Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem). The embassy's position reflected the immediate security concerns and logistical challenges posed by the conflict and airport closures. However, the subsequent announcement by Ambassador Huckabee represented a change in the situation, indicating that the State Department was actively working on evacuation plans (State Dept. Says It Is Working to Get Americans Out of Israel).
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they come directly from official U.S. government communications and reputable news outlets. The U.S. Embassy's alerts are authoritative and reflect the official stance of the State Department. The New York Times article provides context and updates on the evolving situation, further corroborating the embassy's communications (State Dept. Says It Is Working to Get Americans Out of Israel).
However, the timing of the announcements is crucial. The initial claim of "no announcement" was true at that moment, but it was quickly followed by a shift in policy, which could lead to confusion regarding the State Department's intentions and capabilities.
Conclusion
The claim that the State Department has "no announcement" on evacuating Americans from Israel is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the situation at the time of the initial statement, it does not account for the subsequent announcement indicating that the State Department was indeed working on evacuation plans. This evolving context highlights the complexities of diplomatic communications during crises.
