Seventeen Arizona students landed at Sky Harbor International Airport this morning after the Senators pushed officials for their safe and expedited departure from Israel
PHOENIX – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced the successful and safe return of 33 American students, including 17 from Arizona, who were evacuated from Israel amidst the recent conflict with Iran. The offices of Senators Gallego and Kelly worked closely with U.S. officials and the families to get them safely back to American soil.
“No parent should have to endure the fear and uncertainty of having their child caught in a conflict zone,” said Senator Gallego. “My office worked around the clock, leveraging every available resource and contact, to ensure these Arizona students were brought home safely. I’m deeply grateful to the Department of State and our partners on the ground—especially Ambassador Huckabee and the Israeli Consulate General—whose coordination was critical. Knowing these teens are finally home, we can all breathe a sigh of relief.”
“When I first heard about these students, as a dad, I imagined how their parents felt, separated from them without the ability to get them home,” said Senator Kelly. “Senator Gallego and I immediately got to work on the phones calling everyone we could to find them safe passage. And when I talked to some of the parents, they shared their thanks for our work, but just as important for our teams who worked around the clock to bring their kids back to Arizona. But the work isn’t done, there are still Arizonans stuck in Israel that we’re working to bring home safely,”
READ MORE: AZ teens home, with senators’ help, after tense days in Israel amid bombings
Senators Gallego and Kelly stayed in constant communication with parents in Arizona to update them on their children’s departure. Here’s what they said:
“It was a nightmare unfolding in real-time. We were glued to the news while our daughter was there, seeing the missile strikes, sometimes just a few miles from where her group was staying,” said Rachel. “The constant communication and assistance from the offices of U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly made all the difference; they were a lifeline in a terrifying situation. Without their laser focus on her safe evacuation, I have no doubt that she would still be stuck there.”
“When our child was stranded thousands of miles away, we were scared and desperate for help. We reached out to anyone who would listen—and Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego didn’t just listen, they acted. Senator Kelly personally called us to talk through what was happening and to reassure us that they were working on a solution. That phone call meant the world,” said Cindy and Josh. “Both senators followed through and got results. Our child is finally home, safe. We know we’re not the only parents who are grateful; many of us were helped because they chose to act, not just offer words.”
“As a parent, I can’t fully express the relief and gratitude I feel for Senators Kelly and Gallego —when the war between Israel and Iran broke out, our teenage son was on a summer tour of Israel with his camp friends, and they were all scared and out of our direct ability to protect them and control the situation. The program leaders and JNF were doing everything they could to keep them safe but getting them back was everyone’s top priority,” said Adam and Renee Shprecher. “When I received a personal call from Senator Kelly, I was provided with the confidence that our leaders were advocating at the highest levels with Ambassador Huckabee to ensure that JNF was given the ability to prioritize evacuation of our children. Program leaders kept in constant communication, worked with the Senatorial offices on contingency plans, and made sure our children were supported. Thanks to the Senators’ leadership and compassion, our son is home safe – and they have our most heartfelt appreciation.”
“It is such a helpless, scary feeling to have your child thousands of miles away going into a bomb shelter multiple times a day as warning sirens ring out and missiles approach Israel,” said Brett Kurland. “We are beyond grateful to everyone in the U.S. and Israeli governments who worked around the clock to bring our son home. The teams in Senator Gallego’s office was in constant contact with us while they worked tirelessly to get our children out of harms way. It was clear this was a top priority for them. They treated the situation as if it were their own children.”
Timeline of events:
- June 4: The group of students started arriving in Israel for an educational visit coordinated by their congregation.
- June 12: Israel launched the first strikes against Iran.
- June 15: Concerned Arizona parents contacted both Senator Gallego’s and Senator Kelly’s offices about the students stranded in Israel.
- June 17: Senator Gallego personally spoke with the Israeli Consulate General, and Senator Kelly spoke with the Israeli Consulate, both emphasizing the critical need for these students’ safe and expedient departure.
- June 18: Senator Gallego spoke directly with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, urging him to make the return of these American teenagers a top priority. Shortly after, Ambassador Huckabee announced that the U.S. would assist in evacuating American citizens.
- June 19: Senator Kelly spoke directly with U.S. Ambassador Huckabee and his office also connected Ambassador Huckabee’s wife with the students’ program leaders. After the students were booked on a flight to leave Israel, security concerns lead to the fight’s cancelation. Senators Gallego and Kelly reached out to Ambassador Huckabee again, advocating for an alternative departure plan. Senator Gallego’s office immediately contacted the Israeli Consulate, reiterating the imperative need that the Arizona teens be on the Cyprus-bound vessel.
- June 20: The offices confirmed the entire group secured passage to Cyprus on the Birthright Israel cruise ship. The students arrive safely in Cyprus after an 18-hour journey.
- June 24: The students arrived in the United States, landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- June 25: The 17 Arizona students landed in Phoenix at Sky Harbor International Airport.
6/25/25