A statement from the U.S. Department of State made Aug. 26 warns against traveling to certain areas of Israel due to terrorism and unrest.
Though the advisory noted that family members may join U.S. government employees who work in Israel, it added that such employees are also restricted from the locations listed in the notice. Additional movement restrictions may be imposed on employees working in Israel in the future "with little to no notice, due to increased security issues or threats."
The notice warned that the security environment in Israel is "complex and can change quickly," and that "violence can occur without warning," with increased regional tensions that may cause airlines to cancel or limit flights into and out of Israel.
Due to "terrorism
and unrest," Israel is generally considered a level 3 travel risk, meaning that U.S. citizens are advised by the State Department to reconsider travel to affected areas. Additionally, the Aug. 26 advisory noted several locations as under a level 4 risk due to armed conflict. A level 4 risk indicates that the State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the areas.
Here's what to know.
Israel travel advisory issued
A reissued statement was made by the U.S. Department of State on Aug. 26, with a health risk indicator added for Gaza. Areas in Israel considered a level 4 travel risk include:
- Areas north of Route 85 to Route 90 (south) to Route 87
- Within 11.3 kilometers/7 miles of the Gaza Strip
- Within 2.4 kilometers/1.5 miles of the Israel-Egypt border, except at the area of the Taba border crossing, also known as the Menachem Begin crossing
Where should U.S. citizens not travel right now?
According to the State Department website, areas placed at risk level 4, meaning U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to affected locations, include:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.)
- Gaza
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Yemen
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: U.S. Department of State issues advisory for Israel for US, NC travelers
