home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- WEST BANK, GAZA STRIP, EAST JERUSALEM - WARNING
- (Travel Advisories)
-
- March 12, 1992
-
- Summary: The Department of State continues to advise all U.S. citizens to
- avoid travel to the West Bank and Gaza Strip until further notice. U.S.
- citizens traveling to East Jerusalem should contact the U.S. Consulate
- General for an update on conditions and exercise caution at all times. In
- general, Americans should avoid demonstrations and protest activities.
- Israel's strict security measures, particularly at Ben Gurion Airport and
- Allenby Bridge, may affect visitors. Americans arrested in the West Bank or
- Gaza on security offenses are often denied timely communication with
- consular officials. End Summary.
-
- I. Travel and Safety
-
- TRAVEL TO THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP: Due to recurrent disturbances and
- tension in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Department of State
- continues to advise all U.S. citizens to avoid travel to these areas until
- further notice. U.S. citizens who must travel to the West Bank and Gaza
- Strip should be aware of continuing unrest and tension, including stone-
- throwing, which can affect visitors. If travel to the West Bank is
- unavoidable, travelers should consult with the U.S. Consulate General in
- Jerusalem. In the case of travel to the Gaza Strip, travelers should
- consult with the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. Americans residing in these
- areas should exercise particular caution. They should also register with
- the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
-
- TRAVEL TO EAST JERUSALEM: There have been occasional disturbances in East
- Jerusalem. U.S. citizens who travel to East Jerusalem should be aware of
- continuing unrest and tension, including stone-throwing, which can affect
- visitors. Travelers to all areas of East Jerusalem, including the walled
- city, should exercise caution. Travelers should contact the U.S. Consulate
- General for an update on conditions. Because of the potential for violent
- incidents, tourists should be vigilant while using public transportation and
- while traveling by car in areas of East Jerusalem less frequented by tourists.
-
- DEMONSTRATIONS: Under all circumstances, Americans should avoid
- demonstrations, protest activities, and other situations that have the
- potential to lead to violence. American tourists should carry their U.S.
- passports at all times
-
- II. Consular Matters, Security, and Arrests
-
- SECURITY MEASURES: Israel has strict security measures which may affect
- visitors. Prolonged questioning and detailed searches may take place at the
- time of entry and/or departure at the Allenby Bridge from Jordan and at Ben
- Gurion Airport. At the Allenby Bridge, American citizens with Arab surnames
- may encounter delays or obstacles in bringing in cameras or electronics
- equipment. Items commonly carried by travelers such as toothpaste, shaving
- cream, and cosmetics may be confiscated or destroyed. During searches and
- questioning, access may be denied to U.S. consular officers, lawyers, or
- family members. Should questions arise at the Allenby Bridge, Americans
- should telephone the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem for assistance at
- 253-288. If questions arise at Ben Gurion Airport, Americans should phone
- the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv at 517-4338.
-
- ARRESTS IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP: Americans 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 delayed.
-
- No. 92-044
-
- This updates the previous advisory, dated October 8, 1990, to reflect
- changes in conditions in East Jerusalem.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-