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NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Israel (fwd)
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>From [email protected] Fri Feb 20 04:04:45 1998
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 11:07:49 -0500
From: owner-travel-advisories <[email protected]>
Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Israel
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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Israel and the Occupied Territories
============================================================
Israel and the Occupied Territories - Public Announcement
February 14, 1998
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
The American Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in
Jerusalem are issuing the following Warden Message:
"This message supplements the Public Announcement issued by the
U.S. Department of State on February 10, 1998 for the Middle East
and South Asia.
The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate General in Jerusalem
continue to closely monitor the situation with Iraq. The U.S.
Government believes there is a low probability of attack on Israel,
the West Bank or Gaza, and that the possibility of Iraq using
chemical and biological weapons (CBW) is remote, but cannot be
excluded. American citizens are advised to avoid travel to the West
Bank and Gaza and to exercise caution in Jerusalem, particularly in
the area of the old city of Jerusalem. The U.S. Consulate General
in Jerusalem has suspended personal travel of its employees to the
West Bank and has placed restrictions on official travel to the West
Bank.
These are precautionary measures only. However, given the current
tensions in the region, the U.S. Government believes it is important
for all citizens to maintain readiness in the unlikely event of an
emergency.
At this time, the Government of Israel is distributing protection
kits to Israeli citizens and legal residents only. However, we
understand that the government of Israel is putting in place
arrangements to determine the most effective ways to distribute gas
masks to foreign nationals and is in the process of acquiring
adequate numbers of gas masks to provide for non-Israeli citizens in
Israel, Jerusalem, and the areas of the West Bank under its control.
The Palestinian authority has informed the U.S. Government that it
does not have protection kits to supply its population or foreign
residents living within its areas of control.
For those American citizens who need to obtain a new passport or to
update their registrations, passport hours at the Embassy (71
Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv) are Monday through Friday mornings from
8:30 to 11:00 am and Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 pm;
Consulate General in Jerusalem (27 Nablus Road, East Jerusalem)
passport hours are Monday through Friday mornings from 8:30 to
12:00, except for the last Friday of the month.
The Embassy and Consulate General urge all U.S. citizens to monitor
local and international media for further developments. Should the
U.S. government need to issue advice to U.S. citizens, the Embassy
and Consulate will notify the local media and activate our citizens
warden network immediately.
U.S. citizens contemplating traveling to Israel, the West Bank and
Gaza should take the above information into consideration and
should, in addition, consult the latest Consular Information Sheet
on Israel and the Occupied Territories dated December 23, 1997."
This Public Announcement expires on May 14, 1998.
Israel and the Occupied Territories - Consular Information Sheet
December 23, 1997
(INCLUDING AREAS SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE PALESTINIAN
INTERIM SELF-GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY)
Country Description: The state of Israel is a parliamentary
democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely
available. Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan
Heights, and East Jerusalem as a result of the 1967 War. Pursuant
to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, an elected
Palestinian authority now exercises jurisdiction in most of Gaza and
most of the major cities of the West Bank. Palestinian Authority
police have responsibility for keeping order in those areas and the
Palestinian Authority exercises a range of civil functions in other
areas of the West Bank. Areas of Israeli and Palestinian Authority
responsibilities and jurisdiction in the West Bank and Gaza are
complex. Definitive information on entry, customs requirements,
arrests and other matters in the West Bank and Gaza may not be
available and is subject to change without prior notice.
Embassy/Consulate Location and Sources of Assistance: The U.S.
Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, is located at 71 Hayarkon Street. The
U.S. mailing address is PSC 98, Box 0013, APO AE 09830. The
telephone number is (972) (3) 519-7575. After hours number:
519-7551. The fax number is 972-3-516-0315. The e-mail address is
[email protected].
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy should be contacted for
information and help in the following areas: Israel, the Gaza
Strip, and ports of entry at Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa Port, and the
northern (Jordan River) and southern (Arava) border crossings
connecting Israel and Jordan.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is
located at 27 Nablus Road. The U.S. mailing address is Unit 7228 Box
0039, APO AE 09830. The telephone number is (972) (2) 625-3288 (via
Israel) the after hours number is 625-3201. The fax number is
972-2-272-2233.
The U.S. Consulate should be contacted for information and help in
the following areas: west and east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and
border crossings at the Allenby Bridge, connecting Jordan with the
West Bank.
There is a U.S. Consular Agent in Haifa, at telephone (972) (04)
853-1470, who reports to the Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Consular
Agent can provide routine and emergency services in the north.
Entry Requirements:
Israel: Passports, an onward or return ticket, and proof of
sufficient funds are required for entry. A three-month visa may be
issued for no charge upon arrival, and may be renewed. Anyone who
has been refused entry or experienced difficulties with his/her visa
status during a previous visit, or who has overstayed a visa, can
obtain information from the Israeli Embassy or nearest Israeli
consulate regarding the advisability of attempting to return to
Israel. Permission must be obtained from Israel for anyone
attempting to claim the status of a returning resident.
Palestinian Authority: Except during periods of closures, U.S.
citizens, except those of Palestinian ancestry (see below) may enter
and exit Gaza and the West Bank on a U.S. passport with an Israeli
visa. It is not necessary to obtain a visitor's permit from the
Palestinian Authority. Private vehicles frequently encounter long
delays entering or leaving Gaza; and may also expect to be stopped
at checkpoints entering or leaving the West Bank.
U.S. citizens who have ever held or now hold resident status in the
West Bank or Gaza should be aware that they may be subject to the
same travel regulations governing entry to and exit from Israel that
affect all other resident Palestinians. In general, such individuals
are required to hold a Palestinian passport to enter or depart Gaza
or the West Bank via Israel. U.S. citizen Palestinian residents
arriving at Ben Gurion Airport without a Palestinian passport will
be granted an entry visa to enable their transit to the West Bank or
Gaza to obtain such documentation from the Palestinian Authority. A
Palestinian passport and permit to depart are required to leave via
Ben Gurion Airport. No permit is required for departure via the
Rafah or Allenby border posts.
Palestinians who last departed Israel before the May 1994 Cairo
Accords (regarding Gaza and Jericho) or the September 1995 Interim
Agreement (regarding other areas of the West Bank) should re-enter
Israel through the same port of entry from which they last left (and
where their travel documents were then deposited).
Specific questions may be addressed to the nearest Israeli embassy
or consulate.
Israel-Jordan Crossings: International crossing points are now in
operation between Israel and Jordan at Arava (Wadi al-'Arabah)
crossing in the south and the Jordan River crossing (Sheikh Hussein
Bridge) in the north. Prior visas are not necessary for American
citizens using these two crossing points, but travelers will have to
pay a fee. Visas should be obtained in advance for those wanting to
cross the Allenby Bridge which links Jordan and the occupied West
Bank. (Note: Palestinian Americans with residency in the West Bank
must cross into Jordan using the Allenby Bridge.) Procedures for
all crossings into Jordan are subject to frequent changes.
For further entry information, travelers may contact the Israeli
Embassy at 3514 International Dr., NW, Washington, DC. 20008,
telephone (202) 364-5500, or the Israeli Consulate General in Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, or Houston.
Customs Requirements: Video cameras, among other items, must be
declared upon entry to Israel and travelers carrying these items
must go through the red zone at customs. Definitive information on
customs requirements for the Palestinian Authority is not available.
Security Measures: Israel has strict security measures that may
affect visitors. Prolonged questioning and detailed searches may
take place at the time of entry and/or departure at all points of
entry to Israel, including entry from any of the areas under
Palestinian jurisdiction. American citizens with Arab surnames may
expect close scrutiny at Ben Gurion Airport and the Allenby Bridge
from Jordan. For security reasons, delays or obstacles in bringing
in or departing with cameras or electronics equipment are not
unusual. During searches and questioning, access may be denied to
U.S. consular officers, lawyers, or family members. Definitive
information on security measures in the Palestinian Authority is not
available.
Terrorism/Security: Although they have not been specifically
targeted for attack, U.S. citizens have been killed in past
terrorist actions in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The most
recent attacks have been in highly frequented shopping and
pedestrian areas, and public buses. U.S. citizens should use caution
in crowded pedestrian and shopping areas. In addition, the U.S.
Embassy and the Consulate General have warned their employees and
American citizens to avoid travel on public buses, as well as
congregating at bus stops and other crowded areas. This restriction
does not apply to tour buses.
U.S. citizens should, at all times, avoid large crowds and
political demonstrations, and not remain in an area where a
demonstration or altercation appears to be developing. Such
gatherings can occur spontaneously, and have the potential to become
violent without warning.
Areas of Instability -
West Bank and Gaza: During periods of unrest, the West Bank and
Gaza are sometimes closed off by the Israeli government. Travel
restrictions may be imposed with little or no warning. Strict
measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions.
In such circumstances, movement of Palestinians (including
Palestinian Americans) and foreign passport holders has been
severely impaired.
Demonstrations by Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank have
led to confrontations and clashes with the police, with some turning
deadly. Stone throwing and other forms of protest can occur without
warning and can escalate quickly.
In view of the continued potential for violence and unrest in the
West Bank and Gaza, the State Department advises all American
citizens to avoid travel to these areas, except for daylight visits
to Bethlehem, Jericho, Highway 1 from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea,
Route 90 through the Jordan Valley, and tourist sites along these
routes. Accessible sites for daylight visits include the Inn of the
Samaritan, Nebi Musa, St. George's Monastery, Mount of Temptation
Monastery, Qumran, and Qualiah Water Park. The Consular Section of
the U.S. Consulate General, located at 27 Nablus Road in East
Jerusalem, is safe and accessible to all visitors.
The U.S. government maintains tight security procedures regarding
travel of U.S. government employees, officials, and dependents to
the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Frequently, U.S. government
employees are instructed not to travel at all to these areas.
Travel guidelines for U.S. government employees may change at any
time.
The Palestinian police force has been established in Gaza and the
major cities of the West Bank which are under Palestinian
jurisdiction. Joint Israeli/Palestinian police patrols and
checkpoints may be encountered. Many Israeli and Palestinian
civilians in Gaza and the West Bank possess their own guns.
General Precautions: Travel on strike days or after dark is not
recommended. Tourists using public transportation or traveling by
car in areas less frequented by tourists are at risk. Vehicles have
been damaged, with rental cars in particular being targeted.
Jerusalem: In Jerusalem, travelers can reduce their risk of being
involved in violent incidents by traveling in groups, avoiding the
old city at night, except for the Jewish quarter, and exercising
caution at religious sites on holy days, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Most roads into ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods are blocked off
on Saturdays. Assaults on secular visitors, either for being in
cars or for being "immodestly dressed," have been known to occur in
these neighborhoods.
In the North: In the Golan Heights, there are live land mines in
many areas, and some minefields have not been clearly marked or
fenced. Visitors who walk only on established roads or trails will
reduce the risk of injury from mines. Rocket attacks from Lebanese
territory can occur without warning close to the northern border of
Israel.
Driving and Road Conditions: There is a high rate of fatalities
relating to auto accidents, and drivers should use caution. While
the roads in Israel are well built, the roads in Gaza and most of
the West Bank are of poor quality.
Arrests and Detention: U.S. citizens arrested by the Israeli
National Police (INP) and charged with crimes are entitled to legal
representation and consular notification and visitation. Typically
the INP notifies the Embassy or Consulate General within two days of
arrest, and consular access is normally granted within four days.
This procedure may be expedited if the arrested American shows a
U.S. passport to the police as proof of U.S. citizenship, or asks
for access to the Embassy or Consulate General.
U.S. citizens arrested in the West Bank for criminal offenses may
be prevented from communicating with lawyers, family members, or
consular officers. The U.S. Consulate General is often not notified
of the arrest, or notified in a timely manner. Consular access to
the arrestees can be initially denied and is frequently delayed.
In contrast to persons arrested for criminal offenses, U.S.
citizens arrested or detained in Israel and the West Bank on
suspicion of security offenses often are not permitted to
communicate with consular officials, lawyers, or family members in a
timely manner during the interrogation period of their case. They
may be detained for up to six months at a time without charges.
Youths over the age of fourteen have been detained and tried as
adults. Neither the Embassy nor the Consulate are normally notified
of the arrests of Americans in the West Bank by Israeli authorities,
and access to detainees is frequently delayed. Notification may be
more rapid if the detained American shows a U.S. passport as proof
of citizenship and asks the local authorities to contact the Embassy
or Consulate General.
Medical Facilities: Modern medical care and medicines are
available in Israel. However, some hospitals in Israel and most
hospitals in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank fall below U.S.
standards. Travelers can find information in English about
emergency medical facilities and after-hours pharmacies in the
"Jerusalem Post" newspaper. Doctors and hospitals often expect
immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance
is not always valid outside the united states. Supplemental medical
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful. The
Internet site at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(http://www.cdc.gov) has additional health information. Travelers
from regions where contagious diseases are prevalent may need to
show shot records before entry into Israel.
Information on Crime: The crime rate is moderate in Israel, the
Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport
abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on
safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other
matters is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe
Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North
Africa," available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. 20402.
Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
territory in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession,
use or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe in Israel, and
convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. The
Palestinian Authority also has strict penalties for drug use by
persons under its jurisdiction.
Court Jurisdiction: Under Israel's judicial system, the rabbinical
courts exercise jurisdiction over all Jewish citizens and residents
of Israel in cases of marriage and divorce and related issues, such
as support and child custody. Rabbinical courts can also impose
sanctions, including jail terms and restrictions against leaving the
country, on individuals married in a Jewish religious ceremony who,
in case of divorce, refuse to give their spouses a religious divorce
("get"). In some cases, Jewish Americans, who entered Israel as
tourists, have become defendants in divorce cases filed against them
in a rabbinical court in Israel by their American spouses who are
seeking a religious divorce that the defendants have refused to
give. These Americans have been detained in Israel for prolonged
periods while the Israeli courts consider whether such individuals
have sufficient ties to Israel to establish rabbinical court
jurisdiction. In one case, the rabbinical courts detained in Israel
a Jewish American tourist who had been sued for support by his
spouse in the United States. Jewish American visitors should be
aware that they may be subject to involuntary and prolonged stays in
Israel if a case is filed against them in a rabbinical court. This
may occur even when the marriage took place in the U.S., and/or the
spouse seeking relief is not present in Israel.
Dual Nationality: Israeli citizens naturalized in the United
States retain their Israeli citizenship, and their children are
considered Israeli citizens as well. In addition, children born in
the United States to Israeli parents acquire both U.S. and Israeli
nationality at birth. Israeli citizens, including dual nationals,
are subject to Israeli laws requiring service in Israel's armed
forces. U.S.-Israeli dual nationals of military age who do not wish
to serve in the Israeli armed forces may contact the Israeli Embassy
to obtain proof of exemption or deferment from Israeli military
service before going to Israel. Otherwise, they may not be able to
leave the country without doing military service. Israeli citizens,
including dual nationals, must enter and depart Israel on their
Israeli passports. (Note: U.S.-Israeli dual citizens must enter
and depart the U.S. on their U.S. passports.)
Palestinian-American citizens with residency rights in Gaza or the
West Bank are subject to the same regulations as other resident
Palestinians. This normally requires them to depart these areas
with Palestinian travel documents or (for residents of Jerusalem)
laissez-passers with re-entry permits approved by the Israeli
Ministry of Interior.
Registration: The State Department advises American citizens who
plan to be in the region for a substantial period of time to
register at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate
General in Jerusalem. When registering, U.S. citizens can obtain
updated information on travel and security in the area.
No. 97-169
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 22,
1997, to provide new information about travel documentation for
Palestinian Americans, and to update the sections on entry/exit
requirements, terrorism and security, and arrest and detentions.
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