Because of concerns about security on Israel’s northern borders, U.S. government personnel are currently required to obtain advance approval if they wish to travel within 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of the Lebanon border, or travel on or east of Route 98 in the Golan Heights. Click on this link to view a map of the area.
Further, in light of the stabbing attack on a public bus in Tel Aviv on January 21, U.S. citizens are reminded that due to security concerns, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using public buses throughout Israel and the West Bank.
U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found, including the current Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States 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).
U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv through the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) website, by clicking here on this link.
For further information, U.S. citizens may telephone the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 during working hours or the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 630-4000. After hours (for emergencies), U.S. citizens may telephone either the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7551 or the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 622-7250.
