Emergency Message

August 24, 2011

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem notes that, according to local security sources, Jerusalem is under a heightened Security Alert. The police have established roadblocks in various sections of the city and increased their personnel on the streets. Vehicle inspections are being conducted, and suspicious individuals and bags are receiving further scrutiny.

U.S. citizens in Jerusalem are advised to exercise extra vigilance and avoid large crowds during upcoming rallies and religious holidays, particularly in and around Jerusalem's Old City.

On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, there will be a rally held near the south east corner of the Old City. The areas between Dung Gate and Lions Gate are off-limits to official U.S. Government personnel from 4:00pm until 10:00pm on that day due to recent clashes in that area.

U.S. citizens in Jerusalem are strongly encouraged to maintain a heightened level of awareness and to report any suspicious or unusual activity immediately to Israeli authorities. U.S. citizens should, as always, maintain a low profile in public.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website: http://www.travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. U.S. citizens are also encouraged to review "A safe trip abroad": 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 United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and register with the Department of State or through the State Department travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

For further information, U.S. citizens may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 630-4000 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 during working hours. After hours (for emergencies), U.S. citizens may telephone either the Consulate General at: (972) (2) 622-7250, or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at: (972) (3) 519-7551.

Current information on travel and security in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.

For additional and more in-depth information about specific aspects of travel to these areas, U.S. citizens should consult: the Country Specific Information for Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza; and the Worldwide Caution http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html.

These along with other Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html  are available on the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.