THE MIDDLE EAST

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, January 12, 2001 – The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. Government has indications that there is a heightened threat of terrorist incidents in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. In light of several recent terrorist bombings in Israel and continuing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, Americans should exercise extreme caution and avoid shopping areas, malls, public buses and bus stops as well as crowded areas and demonstrations. U.S. Embassy and Consulate employees and their families have been prohibited from using public buses. American citizens should maintain a low profile and take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability. Violent clashes and confrontations continue to take place throughout the West Bank and Gaza. U.S. Embassy and Consulate employees have been prohibited from traveling to the West Bank, Gaza, commercial districts of East Jerusalem, and the Old City of Jerusalem, except for mission essential business. Private American citizens should avoid travel to these areas at this time, and Americans residing in the West Bank and Gaza should consider relocating to a safe location, if they can do so safely. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will temporarily suspend public services as necessary to review its security posture. In those instances, U.S. Citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 622-7230 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7355 For further information on travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

For questions and comments about Worldtravelcenter.com, its World Travel Health newsletter, or its travel companion jetStream, contact:
newsletter@worldtravelcenter.com

Feature Articles
Geologically-Challenged Nations
Top 10 Student Travel Tips
Why You Eat Affects
What You Eat
jetStream Travel Stories
Travel Insurance Primer