The US State Department issued a travel advisory for American citizens visiting Israel, citing the recent string of deadly Arab terror attacks, as well as internal “civil unrest.”
“Terrorist groups, lone-wolf terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza,” the State Department warned. “Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning.”
The State Department also referenced the protests against the Israeli government’s judicial reform plan, urging American visitors in Israel to “exercise increased caution” due to “civil unrest.”
“There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning.”
Travelers are urged to “avoid demonstrations and crowds,” and to “maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times, especially at checkpoints and other areas with a significant presence of security forces.”
US government employees are now barred from traveling near the Gaza border, in the eastern portion of the Golan Heights, near the Syrian border, or near either the Egyptian or Lebanese borders with Israel.