The US Embassy in Tel Aviv and the US Consulate General in Jerusalem advise American citizens in Israel, Jerusalem, and the Palestinian territories to be alert for possible road blockages, demonstrations and protests as a result of the Israeli naval interdiction of a group (or flotilla) of ships attempting to arrive in Gaza earlier today.

American citizens should especially use caution in places with large Arab populations, including Umm al Fahm, Akko, Jaffa, Haifa, East Jerusalem and Jerusalem’s Old City.  Demonstrations are likely in various West Bank cities as well as in Gaza.

Israeli police are currently on high alert. Israeli media reports that the state of alert has been raised throughout Israel, including the Wadi Ara region and the Gaza vicinity, and in Jerusalem.  The state of alert has also been raised within the Israeli prison service for fear of protests.  The Israeli Department of Transportation is restricting traffic and access in the Wadi Ara and Temple Mount/Haram Al-Sharif areas.

Early on May 31, 2010, members of the Israeli Defense Force intercepted and boarded the six ships comprising the flotilla.  An unspecified number of participants in the flotilla were killed, and a number have been injured and have been hospitalized in Israel.  In addition, a number of Israeli defense forces were injured, several seriously.  According to media reports, leaders in the Israeli-Arab community have called for a general strike to begin on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.  We currently have no reports of serious injuries or fatalities of American citizens.  The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.

American 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 .

REMINDER: the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are closed on Monday, May 31, 2010 in observance of Memorial Day, and will reopen on Tuesday, June 1.

Americans 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)