Public Announcements

27 February 2006

Visit http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html for the latest travel warning and consular information.

This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those respective locations.  The Palestinian Authority held legislative elections on January 25 in which Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, won a majority of seats. Uncertainty associated with this change in government may lead to increased levels of instability in the West Bank and Gaza. This warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued June 20, 2005.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to the West Bank and avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip.

American citizens in the Gaza Strip should depart immediately, a recommendation the State Department has maintained since the deadly roadside bombing of a U.S. Embassy convoy in Gaza on October 15, 2003.  Unless specifically authorized,U.S. government personnel are prohibited from all travel in Gaza.  Overall conditions of lawlessness prevail in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military operations continue, and areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably.  Militants have abducted Western citizens and held them for short periods, and terrorist organizations have threatened attacks against U.S. interests.

Violence between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and militant groups based in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank can flare up without notice in the form of rocket attacks into Israel by Palestinian militants, targeted assassinations of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, and ongoing IDF security operations in the West Bank. The uncertain security conditions within the West Bank and Gaza continue as well, with the potential for violent protests, kidnappings, including of foreign nationals, and fighting between various armed factions.

In recent months, citizens of Western nations, including Americans, involved in pro-Palestinian volunteer efforts were assaulted and injured in the Occupied Territories by Israeli settlers and harassed by the IDF.  Those taking part in demonstrations, non-violent resistance, and “direct action," are advised to cease such activity for their own safety.

Travel to the Gaza Strip by U.S. Government personnel is prohibited. Under policy guidance issued by the Secretary of State, exceptions to the prohibition on Gaza travel are only for official, mission-critical travel. Private American citizens also should avoid travel to these areas.

All travelers who enter or travel in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling through checkpoints and should expect delays and difficulties.  Travelers should also be aware they might not be allowed passage through checkpoints.

Any American citizen who intends to travel to Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip in spite of this and prior warnings should carefully review the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  That reference describes other potential dangers and difficulties and offers detailed security recommendations.  Palestinian-Americans face many additional obstacles and regulations that are described in that document.

Americans who remain in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov .  U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972)(2) 622-7250 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972)(3) 519-7355.

Periodically the Embassy and Consulate General may temporarily suspend public services to review their security posture.  As a consequence of the current limitations on official travel to the West Bank, and the prohibition on travel by U.S. government employees to the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens in these areas is extremely limited.

Current information on travel and security in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement; and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.