Travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
Entering and Exiting Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and Denial of Entry Issues
It is important to be accurately informed about which border crossings you are permitted to use. Please consult this information sheet, Jordanian Border Crossings with the West Bank and Israel, for information and links to key offices. Please note that this is intended for general information purposes only. While the Consulate General makes every effort to provide current information, it assumes no responsibility for changes to these policies. For the most accurate, up to date information you should contact the relevant Israeli, Palestinian or Jordanian offices directly.
IMPORTANT - Travel Updates
There have been several developments that American citizen travelers need to pay special attention to:
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New Palestinian Authority Areas-Only Stamp. Since the spring of 2009, Israeli border officials at the Allenby border crossing have begun using a new entry visa stamp that permits travel only in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. Anyone indicating that they either have connections to the West Bank, or are planning to travel to the West Bank, may get this stamp, which does not permit them to enter into green-line Israel. Please note that only Israeli liaison offices in the West Bank can assist -- but they rarely will. Travelers should be alert, and pay attention to which stamp they receive upon entry.
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Palestinian-Americans Must Enter Through Allenby. For some time, the government of Israel has not permitted Americans with Palestinian nationality (or even, in some cases, the claim to it) to enter Israel via Ben Gurion Airport. Many are sent back to the U.S. upon arrival, though some are permitted in, but told they cannot depart Israel via Ben Gurion without special permission (which is rarely granted). Families have had to travel separately back to the United States in some cases, and some travelers have had to forfeit expensive airline tickets. Please check with the government of Israel -- via their Embassy in Washington -- before you travel that you will be able to enter and depart through Ben Gurion. Otherwise, to save expense and time, you should travel via Allenby (and be aware of the issue of the "PA-only stamp" mentioned above).
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Gaza Travel Warning. The United States Government for some time has warned American citizens about travel to Gaza. Due to the situation there, the U.S. government cannot assist Americans in entering Gaza, and cannot provide assistance in exiting Gaza. American citizens who decide in spite of this warning to enter Gaza should understand that many American citizens have found themselves unable to exit Gaza once they entered. Exiting Gaza via the Erez crossing into Israel is tightly restricted by the government of Israel, and is nearly impossible. Exit through Rafah is unpredictable and can involve significant expense. Neither the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, nor the embassies in Tel Aviv or Cairo, is able to facilitate entry or exit via Erez or Rafah.
Denial of Entry into Israel or the West Bank
U.S. passport holders are occasionally denied entry into Israel or the West Bank at one of the border crossings. They may also be subject to lengthy delays and security checks.
Entry into Israel and the West Bank is subject to the authority of the relevant border officials. U.S. citizens may contact the Consulate General to report cases involving denial of entry into the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge-King Hussein border crossing, though the Consulate cannot assume responsibility for facilitating U.S. citizens' passage into Israel or the West Bank. However, the Consulate General strongly encourages anyone denied entry into Israel or the West Bank to complete the Denial of Entry form and submit it via e-mail to JerusalemACS@state.gov in order to track cases.
Please note that Ben Gurion International Airport, the Jordan River-Sheikh Hussein border crossing in the north, and the Rabin-Arava border crossing in the south, fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and specific issues involving these crossings should be addressed there.
Single-Nationality U.S. Passport Holders
U.S. passport holders who do not hold Israeli or Palestinian passports or have Palestinian identity card numbers are generally permitted to enter Israel via Ben Gurion International Airport, subject to local authority discretion. U.S. citizens may also enter Israel via Jordan from the Jordan River-Sheikh Hussein border crossing in the north and the Rabin-Arava crossing in the south near Eilat and Aqaba. Access to the West Bank is permitted via the Allenby Bridge-King Hussein border crossing.
U.S. Citizens with Palestinian Passports
U.S. citizens with Palestinian passports must use the Allenby Bridge-King Hussein border crossing to enter or exit the West Bank (and via the West Bank, Israel). They are not permitted to transit via Ben Gurion International Airport.
U.S. Citizens with Israeli Passports
U.S. passport holders who also possess Israeli passports may enter or exit Israel through Ben Gurion International Airport, the Jordan River-Sheikh Hussein border crossing, and the Rabin-Arava border crossing. They are prohibited from using the Allenby Bridge-King Hussein crossing, unless part of an official delegation or with special permission from the Israeli authorities.
U.S. Citizens with Jerusalem Identity Cards or Laissez-Passers
In general, Jerusalem identity card holders should be permitted to enter and exit via Ben Gurion International Airport. Regarding transit of U.S. citizens with Jerusalem IDs via the Allenby Bridge-King Hussein, Jordan River-Sheikh Hussein, or Rabin-Arava border crossings, please contact the Consulate General directly via e-mail at JerusalemACS@state.gov.
Entry into Gaza
Entry into Gaza is currently strictly limited, and the Consulate General is unable to assist in facilitating passage into Gaza for U.S. citizens. For further information, please consult the State Department Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.