Americans advised not to visit Israel or West Bank

October 25, 2000
Web posted at: 9:57 a.m. EDT (1357 GMT)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The State Department warned U.S. citizens on Tuesday to defer all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, citing a "heightened threat of terrorist incidents" amid continued violence in the region.

It said Americans already in the region should exercise caution and avoid shopping malls, public buses and bus stops, as well as crowded areas and any demonstrations.

"The U.S. government has indications that there is a heightened threat of terrorist incidents in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza," the department said.

	TRAVEL WARNING
Israel

The new travel warning contained more explicit instructions to U.S. citizens and government employees than the "worldwide caution" issued on October 12 after a suspected suicide attack on a U.S. destroyer in the Yemeni port of Aden.

U.S. forces in Bahrain and Qatar have been put on the highest state of alert in two years, based on "specific threats" of possible attack by extremist groups, the Defense Department said on Tuesday.

The Pentagon said the credibility of the threats reported by U.S. intelligence was unknown but the precautionary move was taken over the weekend because of the deadly October 12 bombing attack against the warship USS Cole in Yemen.

In Israel and the Palestinian territories, U.S. citizens should generally "maintain a low profile and take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability," the department said in Tuesday's warning, noting that violent clashes and confrontations were continuing throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

The State Department said U.S. government employees had been prohibited from travelling to the West Bank and Gaza and were urged to avoid East Jerusalem, including the Old City.

"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," the department said.

It also said the U.S. Embassy or consulate general would temporarily suspend public services from time to time, as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of its personnel.

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