Taglit Birthright participants disembarked Wednesday morning in Cyprus following their emergency evacuation from Israeli territory, but moments before arriving, they were still documented celebrating on deck with music and festive pool parties.
Despite the dramatic voyage, it appears that during their journey to Cyprus, Taglit passengers seized the opportunity to decompress with a spectacular party that many Israelis cannot enjoy these days, while under fire.
Video: Taglit evacuated approximately 1,500 program participants Tuesday night in an emergency sea operation / Credit: Mano Maritime
The organization evacuated approximately 1,500 program participants Tuesday night in an emergency sea operation, utilizing the Israeli luxury vessel "Crown Iris" from Mano Maritime, which departed from Ashdod Port bound for Cyprus. The voyage, lasting roughly 13 hours, proceeded under tight escort from Israeli Navy vessels that safeguarded the participants throughout their journey amid heightened regional security tensions.
The vessel was chartered specifically as part of Taglit's swift initiative to begin repatriating the approximately 2,800 program participants who had been staying in Israel, following the escalation with Iran. Boarding priority was granted to groups that had completed their ten-day programs in the country.
Following their Cyprus arrival, all participants are scheduled to continue via chartered flights to their home countries – the United States, Britain, Australia, and beyond. Taglit covers all expenses for this operation, both maritime and aerial. Separately, American participants are expected to return on chartered flights financed by Florida state.
