2006 Warden Messages

Warden Messages  

January 26, 2006

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem warns all U.S. citizens in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza to exercise extreme caution in light of the announcement of results in the January 25, 2006, Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Public reaction to the election results may result in demonstrations that could become violent, and there are significant risks of injury from celebratory gunfire. The Consulate General has no information indicating a specific threat to U.S. citizens or interests, but, as with any major public event, outbreaks of violence or terrorism are possible during the period following announcement of the election results.

We remind U.S. citizens of the current travel warning for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza available at http://travel.state.gov. The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Israel, to defer unnecessary travel to the West Bank, and to avoid all travel to Gaza. U.S. citizens who choose to remain in these areas despite the warning should maintain a low profile, vary their daily schedules and routines, avoid public gatherings and crowded places, and remain alert for people and objects that appear suspicious or out of place.

As the U.S. Government develops information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/. U.S. citizens in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza may contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General at 27 Nablus Road in Jerusalem. The telephone number is (972)(2) 622-7200. The number only for emergency purposes after normal business hours is (972)(2) 622-7250. U.S. citizens in Israel can contact Embassy Tel Aviv via the Embassy switchboard at 03-519-7551 at any time. The Embassy is located at 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 63903.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, 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).