The State Department released a worldwide caution security alert advising U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution while travelling abroad. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert for American citizens to shelter in place until further notice. The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem is still directing U.S. government employees and their families to continue to shelter in place but is providing limited passport services and currently assisting with departures.

Key Points:

  • The continuing escalation of the Israel/Iran conflict has disrupted travel throughout the Middle East with periodic closures of regional air space.
  • The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Consular Section resumed limited in-person operations today (Monday, June 23) to provide limited emergency U.S. passport service to those without a valid U.S. passport. No regular passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services will be available.
  • There are no regularly scheduled commercial flights from Ben Gurion Airport, however, the State Department has begun assisted departure flights from Israel for U.S. Citizens. The Associated Press reported that 79 staff and families were evacuated from the U.S. Embassy on Friday. Online forms for those wishing to depart can be completed here.
  • U.S. government employees and their family members are also advised to continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice, however, U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel or the West Bank should take the first available option, even if it is not the first destination choice.
  • The embassy security alert provides additional actions to take and resources for departures through Jordan and Egypt and responding to security incidents.

Additional Information: The U.S. Embassy is not endorsing third party providers assisting U.S. citizens in departing Israel, but there have been successful evacuations via this route. U.S. citizens can also check local media for commercial opportunities to depart Israel by ship. Regularly monitoring the State Department’s travel advisories for Israel, the West Bank, Gaza is also advised.

BAL will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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