Agudath Israel is publicizing the following alert out of concern that it may affect families in Israel where not everyone is an American citizen and there are plans to come to the United States for Pesach:

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israel will be closed to the public for renovations from February 17 through March 18, 2011. According to the Embassy, no visa interviews will be conducted except in life-and-death emergency cases. Petition-based workers, students, and all other Israelis who may need to travel to the U.S. in the coming months – and in particular for Pesach – are strongly encouraged to apply for visas well in advance.

While there is a U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, it primarily serves those residing in the Jerusalem area. Israelis who live in other Israeli cities (such as Bnei Brak) are directed to the embassy in Tel Aviv.

Agudath Israel expresses gratitude to Avi Morrel, Special Immigration Counsel at Proskauer Rose for offering this timely information.

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