US issues travel advisory for Israel, West Bank and Gaza

The US State Department raises its travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas and ethnic riots in Israel.

The advisory had been lowered to a “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution” as coronavirus cases have petered out, but has now been raised to a “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.”

“Rockets continue to impact the Gaza periphery and areas across southern and central Israel, including Jerusalem,” the State Department notes.

“There has been a marked increase in protests and violence throughout Israel. Recent incidents of violence include vandalism, rock-throwing, burning of vehicles and attacks on passersby. Protests and violence may continue to occur, some with little or no warning,” the statement adds, in reference to ethnically motivated mob violence targeting Arab and Jewish bystanders across the country in recent days.

• “The Travel Advisory for Israel and the West Bank and Gaza currently recommends US citizens:
• Reconsider travel to Israel due to armed conflict and civil unrest, and exercise increased caution to Israel due to COVID-19, travel restrictions, and quarantine procedures instituted by the Government of Israel.
• Do not travel to the West Bank due to COVID-19, travel restrictions and quarantine procedures instituted by the Palestinian Authority.
• Do not travel to Gaza due to COVID-19, terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict.”