Consulate of the United States

Passover (April 9th-15th) and Easter (April 12th and 19th)

April 8, 2009

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem recommends all Americans exercise extra vigilance and avoid large crowds during the upcoming religious holidays, particularly in and around Jerusalem's Old City.  Large crowds can be expected, with a correspondingly heavy police presence continuing throughout this and next week.  Additionally, significant traffic congestion and delays around the Old City should be expected during the next few weeks:  use alternate or bypass routes whenever possible.

We remind you that the Consulate is closed on the first and last days of the Passover holiday:  Thursday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 15.

American citizens should exercise caution, stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Should you need to contact the Consulate for any reason, please call the main number at (02) 622-7230 or, for American Citizen Services, please call (02) 622-7221.  To contact the American Consulate after hours regarding an emergency situation, please call 02-622-7250. For routine inquiries, please email the American Citizen Services Unit at JerusalemACS@state.gov.

Americans traveling in this district should regularly monitor the U.S.
Consulate General's website (http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/) and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution,
Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and
Gaza, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.

The U.S. Consulate General also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A
Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. 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).