U.S. authorizes departure of Embassy staff in Israel amid rising Iran tensions
Updates
U.S. authorizes departure of Embassy staff in Israel amid rising Iran tensions
The U.S. State Department on Friday issued an updated travel advisory authorizing the departure of nonessential government employees and their family members from the United States mission in Israel, citing security risks.
In a statement, the department said the decision was made in light of recent security incidents and an updated assessment of the situation.
Ali Khamenei (right) and Donald Trump.
(Photos: Getty Images / Anna Moneymaker, AP)
The statement added that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem may impose additional restrictions or prohibit travel by American personnel and their family members to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank, sometimes without prior notice.
U.S. citizens currently in Israel were urged to consider departing the country while commercial flights continue to operate.
According to The New York Times, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee wrote in a follow-up email to embassy staff that those wishing to leave “should do so TODAY,” and must find a flight from Ben Gurion Airport to any destination for which they can secure a booking.
He said the embassy’s move “will likely result in high demand for airline seats today. Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to DC, but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country.” Huckabee added that while additional outbound flights may be available in the coming days, that may not necessarily be the case.
At the same time, Huckabee clarified to staff that “There is no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”
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