The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done that issued a global warning to US citizens due to rising tensions in many parts of the world, the possibility of terrorist attacks, protests, or acts of violence against U.S. persons and interests. Citizens of the United States must:
- Be vigilant in areas often visited by tourists.
- Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates and facilitate contact in case of emergency abroad.
- Stay tuned for updates from the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter, and visit travel.state.gov for information.
Information for US Citizens in Israel and the West Bank
Charter flights from Ben Gurion Airport, available until October 22
There is still limited commercial availability from Ben Gurion Airport. The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens wishing to depart take advantage of charter flights offered by the U.S. government while they are still available. Ben Gurion International Airport will continue to offer flights on a fixed schedule until at least Sunday, October 22. If you want to leave Israel, go to Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion International Airport. The US Embassy staff will assist you and provide you with details about your flight. Expect to wait.
Some US citizens wishing to leave the country have managed to enter Jordan from the West Bank and Israel through the Sheikh Hussein and Allenby Bridge. The U.S. Department of State strongly encourages people from the United States to take advantage of these opportunities.
Information for American citizens in Gaza
The fact that Israel and Hamas are still at war makes it difficult for Americans to decide how to leave the country. The US government is developing ways for Americans to leave Gaza. To help with this, U.S. government officials are working around the clock. In the event that the government needs to contact you immediately, please fill it Crisis intake form if you haven’t already done so.
Information for American citizens in Lebanon
U.S. citizens residing in or visiting Lebanon are advised by the U.S. Department of State to make necessary preparations to leave the country; commercial flights are still accessible. If they want to stay, they need to make backup plans for emergencies. Complete the form below so that the U.S. Department of State can contact you quickly Crisis intake form if you haven’t already.
How to reach the US government by phone:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Consular Affairs 1-833-890-9595 (free) and +1-606-641-0131
US citizens in Israel can call the local number (03-519-7426)
US citizens in Lebanon please call the local number (961-4-543 600)
Overview of the United States travel advisory system
The old “Travel Alert” and “Travel Warning” designations have been replaced by a new four-level system, the Travel Advisory system.
The following is advised by the level numbers:
- Level 1 – Take normal precautions
- Level 2 – Be extra careful
- Level 3 – Rethink travel
- Level 4 – Do not travel
Countries with a travel advisory level of two or higher will also be designated with a risk indicator.
A risk indication is a letter that appears behind the level number of the travel advice for a specific reason. Additionally, it offers specific advice for Americans visiting that country. Different danger indicators may be present in one country, depending on the safety and stability of the surrounding areas. C (crime), T (terrorism), U (civil unrest), H (health), N (natural disaster), E (time-limited event), K (kidnapping/hostage taking) and O (other) are examples of potential risk indicators.
