US warns against travel to West Bank

Washington, Aug 26 (IANS) The United States on Wednesday urged its citizens to reconsider travel to the West Bank, citing increased terrorist attacks, violence and Israeli military operations over the past year.

The State Department placed the territory at Level 3 under its four-tier travel advisory system. It also imposed restrictions on the movement of US government employees working in Israel and their families.

US government employees must obtain special authorisation before travelling to the West Bank for official duties because of security risks, the advisory said.

Employees and their family members are barred from personal travel across most of the territory. Limited exceptions apply to travel on Routes 1, 90 and 443.

Route 90 may be used to reach the Allenby Bridge crossing, which connects the West Bank with Jordan.

Personal travel to Jericho and Bethlehem, including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, is permitted between dawn and midnight.

Checkpoint 300 near Rachel’s Tomb is the only route that US government employees and their families may use to enter Bethlehem, according to the advisory.

The department attributed that restriction to the continued closure of checkpoints across the West Bank.

“Reconsider Travel to West Bank due to terrorism and unrest,” the State Department advisory said.

It warned that additional movement restrictions could be imposed on US personnel with little or no notice if security threats increase.

The department said terrorist attacks in the West Bank had increased during the previous year. It warned of the risk of attacks and other terrorist activity across the territory.

Violence and Israeli military operations had also increased, it said. Some incidents resulted in the injury or death of US citizens.

The Israeli government may restrict access to and movement within the West Bank during periods of unrest. Some areas could be placed under curfew.

Americans who decide to travel were advised to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, particularly at checkpoints and other places with a significant presence of security personnel.

The department urged travellers to avoid demonstrations and crowds, follow instructions from security and emergency officials and report suspicious activities to local police.

Travellers should identify the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter and prepare an emergency departure plan that does not depend on US government assistance, it said.

The advisory also recommended downloading an application that provides real-time warnings of rocket and missile attacks and armed drone incursions.

Travellers visiting rural areas were cautioned about unexploded ordnance. The department also recommended purchasing travel insurance that covers evacuation, medical care and trip cancellation.

US citizens were encouraged to join the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program, which allows embassies and consulates to provide alerts and make contact during an emergency.

The State Department maintains an embassy in Jerusalem and a branch office in Tel Aviv. It provided telephone and online contact information for Americans needing consular assistance.

A Level 3 advisory is a recommendation rather than a legal prohibition on private travel. The highest US designation is Level 4, or “Do Not Travel”, while Level 2 calls for increased caution and Level 1 advises travellers to exercise normal precautions.

–IANS

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