Americans advised not to visit Israel or West Bank

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

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing a "heightened threat of terrorist incidents," the State Department Wednesday issued a warning to U.S. citizens to "defer all travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza."

U.S. citizens should exercise caution and avoid "shopping areas, malls, public buses and bus stops as well as crowded areas and demonstrations. American citizens should maintain a low profile and take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability."

	TRAVEL WARNING
Israel

The warning said that because of violent clashes and confrontations taking place "throughout the West Bank and Gaza," government employees are prohibited from traveling to these areas and "urged to avoid East Jerusalem and the Old City." Private citizens should also avoid these areas, the warning said, and those residing in the West Bank and Gaza "should consider relocating to a safe location if they can do so safely."

Finally, the warning added that the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will at times "temporarily suspend public services as necessary to ensure the safety of its personnel."

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.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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