Rep. Nancy Mace to Newsmax: Thousands of Americans Stranded in Israel

Thousands of Americans remain stranded in Israel, which has been subject to pro-Iranian missile barrages during the current conflict in the Middle East, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told Newsmax on Friday.

Appearing on Newsmax's "Wake Up America," Mace said earlier this week she traveled to the Middle East to help evacuate Americans, including a South Carolina family trapped in a dangerous part of Israel.

"It was very, very humbling," Mace said. "We had moms and babies we were turning away, grown men with tears streaming down their cheeks because people are desperate to get out of there."

Joined in the studio by Grey Bull Rescue founder and CEO Bryan Stern, Mace said that she initially flew to the region to assist a constituent family stranded in a war zone but soon realized the problem was far larger.

She ultimately helped facilitate a rescue flight carrying 155 Americans out of Israel.

"I said I couldn't leave more people behind," she said.

The congresswoman credited Grey Bull Rescue, a veteran-led nonprofit specializing in evacuations from dangerous environments, for making the mission possible.

The organization has conducted hundreds of operations worldwide, helping Americans and allied nationals escape war zones, natural disasters, and hostile regimes.

Grey Bull Rescue gained national attention during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, when it helped evacuate Americans and Afghan allies left behind after the Biden administration's withdrawal.

According to the group, it has saved more than 8,000 lives through over 800 rescue missions.

Stern, a U.S. Army veteran, said the situation in Israel remains volatile as missile and rocket attacks linked to Iranian-backed forces continue across parts of the region.

"The security situation where we're operating is really an aerial threat," Stern said. "We've spent time in bomb shelters. It's still very dangerous."

Despite those risks, the organization has continued coordinating evacuations by moving Americans across borders into safer areas such as Jordan before arranging flights home.

Mace said the crisis has been underestimated, criticizing claims that most Americans who wanted to leave have already done so.

"Yesterday morning, they flew out 40 people out of Tel Aviv," she said. "We know through Grey Bull Rescue there are thousands of Americans on the ground — hundreds of infants under the age of two and thousands of students still stranded."

In a Thursday post on X, Mace described leaving Israel on a rescue flight filled with Americans and reflected on the experience.

"When your people are stranded in a war zone getting hit with missiles and rockets, the only answer worthy of the office — worthy of our country — is to get them out," she wrote.

The South Carolina Republican said the evacuation effort now faces one major obstacle: aircraft.

Grey Bull Rescue has the logistics, security teams, and evacuation routes in place, she said, but more planes are needed to bring Americans home.

"If we had the resources and the planes, we could get thousands of Americans out within 24 to 48 hours," Mace said.

Stern echoed that message, saying financial support and aviation resources are critical as the nonprofit continues responding to new requests for help.

"We've gotten hundreds of new registrations just this morning," Stern said. "We need resources. We need planes. That's how we get Americans home."

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.