The US Embassy in Tel Aviv advises American citizens in Israel to be alert when traveling in Green Line Israel in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip border due to recent tensions, to include an IDF interdiction of a small boat off of the Gaza Strip carrying weapons and passengers in dive suits, and continued rocket and mortar launches into Green Line Israel.  U.S. Government employees are currently restricted from travel along the Gaza Strip border for non-essential purposes.

Early on May 31, 2010, members of the Israeli Defense Force intercepted and boarded a six-ship flotilla, resulting in the deaths of nine flotilla participants, including one American citizen. 

U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. For updated information on the Department of State’s worldwide caution notice, please refer to:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/, and the U.S. Department of State’s, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

If you need specific assistance from the U.S. Embassy, contact our switchboard during office hours (03-519-7575). Outside of office hours, contact 03-519-7551 and your call will be transferred to the Embassy’s duty officer. For routine inquiries, please email the American Citizen Services Unit at [email protected].

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)