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2005 Travel Warnings

Heightened Security Awareness

February 28, 2005

The recent terrorist attack in Tel Aviv highlights the need for everyone to exercise extreme caution and vigilance during their daily routines. The Department of State continues to receive credible information suggesting that extremist groups and individuals are continuing to plan terrorist actions against U.S. interests worldwide. These actions can take place virtually anywhere and at any time and may include suicide bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, or bombings. American Citizens should note that terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Terrorists may strike facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. American citizens should increase their security awareness levels at such locations, avoid them, or switch to locations where large numbers generally do not congregate.

The following security measures have been implemented for American employees and family members assigned to the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the Embassy in Tel Aviv after a review of the current threat environment. These measures have been designed to reduce the overall risk to our employees and their family members by minimizing their exposure to areas of potential violence. We urge American Citizens to observe similar precautions.

Consulate General Jerusalem - Security Guidelines

  • Personal travel within the West Bank remains strictly prohibited. Transiting any part of the West Bank for expediency (for example, Highway 1 from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea) is likewise prohibited.
  • Travel on Route 443 (Modi’in Road) is permitted only in certain limited circumstances, and if the travel occurs during daylight hours.
  • Travel to the Old City, commercial districts of East Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives (daylight hours) is authorized; however, the Old City is off-limits between the hours of 11:00am and 2:00pm on Fridays, and during the hours of darkness all week. Caution is urged during all visits to the Old City.
  • It is important to remain vigilant while traveling throughout Jerusalem, especially within the commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem and the City Center. A high degree of caution and common sense should be exercised when patronizing restaurants, cafes, malls, and theaters, especially during peak hours. Large crowds and public gatherings should be avoided to the extent possible.
  • Visits to the Tayelit or Haas Promenade (vehicle overlook) located in Armon Hanatziv, bordering the Palestinian village of Abu-Tor, are permitted during daylight hours only. The area below the Promenade and the village of Abu-Tor remain off-limits. Due to reported increases in criminal activity, the outlying villages that surround East Jerusalem should be avoided.
  • Employees and family members of the U.S. Consulate are prohibited from using public buses and trains (and their respective terminals/stations).

Embassy Tel Aviv - Security Guidelines

  • Embassy employees and family members are strongly urged to exercise a high degree of caution in patronizing places of worship, restaurants, cafes, malls, and theaters, especially during peak hours of business. Large crowds/public gatherings should be avoided. Discos and nightclubs remain off-limits.
  • Embassy employees and family members are prohibited from using public buses and trains (and their respective terminals/stations).


We encourage American citizens to review the Travel Warning and Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement; all of these are available at http://travel.state.gov. The Consulate General in Jerusalem can be reached at (972)(2) 622-7230 during regular business hours, and at (972)(2) 622-7250 after hours. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv can be reached at (972)(3) 519-7575 during regular business hours, and at (972)(3) 519-7551 after hours.