The following unedited text was released by the US Consul General in Jerusalem.

Emergency Message – Jerusalem, September 21, 2011

The United States Consulate General in Jerusalem is prohibiting official mission personnel from visiting the Old City of Jerusalem this Friday, September 23, 2011.  This prohibition is due to the potential for demonstrations and large gatherings inside the Old City that day.

The US Consulate General reminds US citizens that even peaceful marches and demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning.  US citizens should monitor the security situation when planning their activities near areas where such marches and demonstrations may occur.  US citizens are urged to avoid areas of traditional conflict during this time.

US citizens in Jerusalem are encouraged to exercise caution and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety and security, and to report any suspicious or unusual activity immediately to Israeli authorities.  US citizens should, as always, maintain a low profile in public.

US citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  US citizens are also encouraged to review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” 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 United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

US citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

For further information, US citizens may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 630-4000 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 during working hours.   After hours (for emergencies), US citizens may telephone either the Consulate General at: (972) (2) 622-7250, or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at: (972) (3) 519-7551.

Current information on travel and security in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.

For additional and more in-depth information about specific aspects of travel to these areas, US citizens should consult:  the Country Specific Information for Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza; and the Worldwide Caution.

These along with other Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information are available on the Department’s Internet website.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)