Over 1000 Birthright Participants Evacuated from Israel to Cyprus Amid Iran Conflict
Larnaca, Cyprus – 17 June 2025:
More than 1,000 young adults participating in a Birthright Israel heritage trip have been safely evacuated from Israel to Cyprus by cruise ship, amid escalating tensions in the region following Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Crown Iris, a luxury cruise ship operated by Israeli firm Mano Maritime, arrived in Larnaca today carrying approximately 1,500 passengers, including Birthright Israel participants and staff. The ship departed from Ashdod Port, south of Tel Aviv, late Monday night and made the 13-hour journey across the Mediterranean under Israeli naval escort to ensure the group’s security.
The evacuation comes days after Israel launched a military strike on Tehran and key Iranian nuclear sites early Friday, triggering fears of retaliation and raising regional security concerns. Since then, nearly 2,800 international participants in the Birthright program had been stranded across Israel as the situation rapidly evolved.
Birthright Israel, a program co-funded by the Israeli government and private donors, offers free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18 to 26 to explore their cultural and historical roots. Organisers said the decision to evacuate was made “out of an abundance of caution” and that all participants were safe and being cared for in Cyprus.
Authorities in Cyprus confirmed they are coordinating with international embassies to support the evacuees and arrange onward travel. Meanwhile, the Israeli government is reportedly considering additional evacuations for remaining program participants and tourists amid heightened security alerts.
This marks one of the largest peacetime evacuations of foreign visitors from Israel in recent history.
