Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/ISRAEL.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 11KB | 186 lines

Israel & the Territories Occupied & Administered by Israel - Consular
Information Sheet
March 7, 1994

Warning:  The Department of State advises all American citizens to avoid
travel to East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip at this time due
to the violence stemming from the murders of Palestinians in Hebron on
February 25.  However, current security conditions do not preclude the
travel of U.S. citizens to the immediate vicinity of the U.S. Consulate
General facility at 27 Nablus Road, East Jerusalem, for the purpose of
obtaining consular services.

Note:  For detailed information on areas of instability in Israel, as well
as the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, refer to the appropriate
paragraphs below.

Country Description:  The State of Israel is a parliamentary democracy with
a modern economy.  Tourist facilities are widely available.

The territories occupied and administered by Israel are the West Bank, Gaza
Strip, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem.  The Israeli Ministry of Defense
administers the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  The
United States considers that the status of all the aforementioned
territories should be determined through direct negotiations.

Entry Requirements:  Passports, an onward or return ticket, and proof of
sufficient funds are required.  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
can obtain information from the Israeli embassy or nearest consulate
regarding the advisability of attempting to return to Israel.  Arab-
Americans who have overstayed their tourist visas during previous visits to
Israel or the occupied territories can expect, at a minimum, delays at ports
of entry (including Ben Gurion airport) and the possibility of being denied
entry.  To avoid such problems, such persons may apply for permission to
enter at the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate before traveling.  For
further entry information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Israel, 3514
International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone [phone],
or the nearest Israeli Consulate General in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or
Houston.

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 or the
occupied territories.  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.  Items commonly carried by
travelers such as toothpaste, shaving cream, and cosmetics may be
confiscated or destroyed for security reasons, especially at the Allenby
Bridge.  During searches and questioning, access may be denied to U.S.
consular officers, lawyers, or family members.  Should questions arise at
the Allenby Bridge, U.S. citizens can telephone the U.S. Consulate General
in Jerusalem for assistance at [phone].  If questions arise at Ben
Gurion Airport, U.S. citizens can phone the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv at (03)
517-4338.

Areas of Instability - The Territories Occupied and Administered by Israel:
Following the killings of Palestinians in Hebron on February 25, 1994, the
Israeli government closed the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  The West Bank has
since been partially reopened.  Travel restrictions may be re-imposed with
little or no advance notification, and curfews placed on cities or towns in
the occupied territories may be extended or, if lifted, reimposed.

Palestinian demonstrations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have led to
violent confrontations between the demonstrators and Israeli authorities,
resulting in the wounding or death of some participants.  Demonstrations and
similar incidents can occur without warning.  Stone-throwing and other forms
of protest can escalate.  Violent incidents such as stabbings have occurred.
 Vehicles have been damaged.

U.S. citizens were warned by the Department of State on February 25, 1994,
not to travel to the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem (including the Old
City) because of unsettled security conditions.  The U.S. Government is
limiting travel by employees and dependents to the Occupied Territories.

Although the Department of State has warned all U.S. citizens against
traveling to East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, the Consular Section
of the U.S. Consulate General at 27 Nablus Road, East Jerusalem, remains
open.  While conditions in parts of East Jerusalem have been volatile, the
Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General is only one block from the
major north/south highway.  The facility is easily accessible by taxi or
private vehicle and is guarded both by private security guards and Israeli
police.  Current security conditions in the immediate vicinity of the
Consular Section do not preclude the travel of U.S. citizens to the Nablus
Road facility for the purpose of obtaining consular services.  Traveling by
public or private transportation in those parts of East Jerusalem less
frequented by tourists, however, remains dangerous.

If, despite the above warnings against such travel, persons must travel to
other areas of East Jerusalem, including the Old City, or to the West Bank,
they may consult with the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, and in the
case of travel to the Gaza Strip, with the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, for
current information on the advisability of such travel.

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.

Areas of Instability - Israel:   American citizens who avoid crowds and
demonstrations and maintain a low profile will reduce their risk of becoming
involved in violent situations.  In the past, several violent incidents have
involved buses and bus stops.  For this reason, the U.S. Embassy is advising
its employees and American citizens in Israel to avoid use of public
transportation, especially buses and bus stops.  This restriction does not
apply to tour buses.  It is useful for U.S. citizens to carry their U.S.
passports at all times.

Rocket attacks from Lebanese territory can occur without warning close to
the northern border of Israel.

Arrests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip:  U.S. citizens arrested or detained
in the West Bank or Gaza 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.  Youths
who are over the age of fourteen have been detained and tried as adults. The
U.S. Embassy is not normally notified of the arrests of Americans in the
West Bank by Israeli authorities, and access to detainees is frequently
delayed.

Medical Facilities:  Modern medical care and medicines are available.
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 services.  U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental
medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful.  The
international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control,
telephone [phone], has additional health information.

Information on Crime:  The crime rate is moderate in Israel and the occupied
territories.  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 while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of
State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle
East and North Africa."  They are available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in
illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.

Terrorism:  Although U.S. citizens are not targeted for attack, frequent
terrorist incidents in the Occupied  Territories, as well as within Israel,
sometimes have involved U.S. citizens.

Dual Nationality:  It is our understanding that Israeli citizens who are
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.
 Israeli citizens, including dual nationals, must enter and depart Israel on
their Israeli passports.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or
the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem can obtain updated information on
travel and security within Israel and the Occupied Territories.

Embassy and Consulate Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, is
located at 71 Hayarkon Street. The U.S. mailing address is PSC 98, Box 100,
APO AE 09830.  The telephone number is (972-3) 517-4338.

The Consular  Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is located
at 27 Nablus Road. The U.S. mailing address is PSC 98, Box 100, APO AE
09830.  The telephone number is (972-2) 253-288 (via Israel).  After working
hours, the telephone number is (972-2) 253-201.

There is a U.S. Consular Agent in Haifa.  The address and telephone number
is 12 Jerusalem Street, Haifa 33132, telephone [phone].

No.  94-025

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 4, 1994, to add
general information on precautions to be taken in Israel and to remove the
information on limits, now lifted, that had been placed on travel of U.S.
government employees in Israel.