In a recent interview with conservative media outlet Newsmax, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed that he has turned down suggestions to travel to Israel, differentiating himself from blue state Democrats such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and California Governor Gavin Newsom. DeSantis cited the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas as the reason for not visiting, stating that it is not "productive" for American politicians to interfere in the situation.

During his interview, DeSantis acknowledged that he had received requests to travel to Israel, mentioning President Joe Biden's recent visit. However, he firmly stated, "I'm not going to go over there at this time. I think that to have politicians going over there and trying to get - I think you're just getting in the way of what's going on. They've got a job to do. Our job here in the United States is to support them."

While DeSantis did not name them specifically, he pointed out that other governors, including Hochul and Newsom, had visited Israel. Newsom recently made a visit to Israel before planning a trip to China, while Hochul described her visit to the country as a "solidarity mission" to demonstrate support.

Florida, with one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States, has seen Governor DeSantis consistently defend and support Israel. Throughout his time as governor, DeSantis has visited the Middle Eastern nation twice already. In his previous visits, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an international trade mission.

Additionally, Governor DeSantis recently declared a state of emergency in Florida due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This declaration enabled him to tap into a state emergency fund, leading to the organization of charter flights from Israel. These flights facilitated the transportation of over 500 Americans back to the United States, with more scheduled to depart over the weekend.

Seeking to highlight his administration's efforts in contrast to the Biden administration, DeSantis criticized the State Department's handling of American evacuations, particularly those sent to Greece who were asked to reimburse the federal government. In a symbolic gesture, DeSantis' presidential campaign has also started selling t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "DeSantis Airways."

However, The Orlando Sentinel reported on Friday that a group of nearly two dozen Americans, who Florida attempted to evacuate, were briefly stranded in Cyprus. Bryan Stern, CEO of Project Dynamo, placed the blame on a vendor hired by Florida, accusing them of rushing to load a flight without proper coordination.

As the conflict continues to unfold, Governor DeSantis remains committed to supporting Israel but has chosen to refrain from visiting the country at this time. His decision highlights the delicate balance American politicians face in navigating international crises and providing unwavering support to nations in need.