Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Airport/Destination News 

State Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see  http://travel.state.gov/travel

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza - On July 13, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when considering travel to Israel and Jerusalem at this time.  In addition, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued January 17, 2007. American citizens in the Gaza Strip should depart immediately, a recommendation that the State Department has maintained and renewed since the deadly roadside bombing of a U.S. Embassy convoy in Gaza on October 15, 2003.  This recommendation applies to all Americans, including journalists and aid workers. The Gaza Strip has witnessed considerable violence in recent months, both between Palestinian factions and between Israeli security forces and armed Palestinian groups.  Similar incidents have also occurred in the West Bank.  Violent demonstrations, kidnappings and shootings have also occurred in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.  Areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably.  Militants have continued to abduct Western citizens, and terrorist organizations have threatened attacks against U.S. interests.  Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, violently assumed control over Gaza in June 2007, making the already dangerous security situation there even more precarious.  The American International School in northern Gaza was the target of an attack on April 21, 2007. Militant groups in Gaza persist in launching rocket attacks against nearby Israeli towns.  The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) often responds to such attacks.  It also continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank, including targeted attacks and ground incursions, which have led to deaths and injuries to bystanders.  Rocket fire from Lebanon , except for one recent incident, has ceased since the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in August 2006. Some Americans and Europeans involved in demonstrations and other such activities in the West Bank have become involved in confrontations with Israeli settlers and the IDF.  The State Department recommends that Americans, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations. All travelers who enter or travel in the West Bank should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling through Israeli checkpoints and should expect delays and difficulties.  Travelers should also be aware they might not be allowed passage through checkpoints. Israeli authorities are concerned about the continuing threat of suicide bombings. The threat of such attacks is ongoing. The U.S. Government has received information indicating that American interests could be the focus of terrorist attacks.  For that reason, American citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist in the vicinity of restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem . American citizens are urged to exercise a high degree of caution and common sense when patronizing restaurants, cafes, malls, places of worship, and theaters, especially during peak hours.  Large crowds and public gatherings should be avoided to the extent possible, and personnel should be alert to street vendors who sometimes aggressively harass tourists.  American citizens should take into consideration that discos and nightclubs, as well as public buses, trains and their respective terminals are "off-limits" to U.S. Government personnel. Violence between organized criminal elements sometimes occurs in areas frequented by foreigners and has occasionally resulted in death or injuries to bystanders.  While American citizens have not been the target of such violence, they should be aware of their surroundings and follow common sense precautions to avoid it. The State Department urges American citizens to remain vigilant while traveling throughout Jerusalem, especially within the commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem and the city center.  Israeli security services report that they continue to receive information of planned terrorist attacks in and around Jerusalem .  The last terrorist bombing in Jerusalem was on September 22, 2004.  Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers.  Some of these protests have led to violent clashes. The Old City of Jerusalem is off-limits to U.S. Government personnel and their family members after dark during the entire week and between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm on Fridays.

 

Lebanon - On July 14 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning alerts American citizens to the ongoing fighting and political tensions in Lebanon and advises them of safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon, and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 22, 2006. "This warning alerts U.S. citizens to the renewed threat of attacks against western and Lebanese government interests by the extremist group Fatah Al-Islam. Similar threats also were made by the militant groups Jund Al-Sham and Al-Qaeda. The Department of State remains concerned about the personal safety and security of American citizens as the fighting continues at the Nahr El-Barad refugee camp. Sporadic fighting also has occurred outside several other refugee camps. U.S. citizens who visit refugee camps in Lebanon risk becoming trapped during hostilities. On June 7 a bomb exploded in the town of Zouk Mousbeh, north of Beirut. This was the fifth small-scale bomb attack in greater Beirut in recent weeks and follows the June 7 discovery of explosives-laden vehicles in eastern Lebanon. Since May 20 explosions have occurred in the Beirut neighborhoods of Achrafieh and Verdun, the Beirut suburb of Sad Al-Bouchrieh, and the resort town of Aley. The possibility of related episodes of violence in popular districts of Beirut and other tourist areas in Lebanon remains high. "The Department continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon, and that American citizens already in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. Americans who remain in Lebanon despite this Travel Warning are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance; take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness; confirm that passports and U.S. travel documents for themselves and for family members are up-to-date; and be alert to any deterioration of the security situation." "

 

Yemen - On July 14, the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy has decided to continue the current travel restrictions for official personnel both inside and outside of Sanaa for the near future. Official travel outside Sanaa will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Embassy employees (and family members) have been instructed to avoid shopping areas, restaurants and stores where Westerners gather that do not employ an active vehicle inspection program. The Embassy will continue to monitor the security situation in Yemen actively and will ensure American citizens are informed of any changes or developments."

 

Zimbabwe - On July 12, the U.S. State Department issued a Public Announcement that reads in part: "This Public Announcement informs U.S. citizens of security concerns in Zimbabwe and advises them to carefully consider the risks of travel to Zimbabwe. "Sharp price cuts on local goods have caused shortages of bread, milk, meat, poultry and gasoline, and other basic goods, resulting in outbreaks of violence as security agents seek to enforce the price cuts and citizens rush to buy available goods. Visitors should be prepared for food shortages and avoid large gatherings, particularly around shopping areas and in the high-density suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo. "In response to growing public protests against deteriorating conditions, the Zimbabwe Government continues to authorize its security forces to suppress all dissent by whatever means deemed necessary. Political leaders at the highest levels of the Zimbabwean government are condoning the security forces' use of violence, including lethal force, against anyone the Government perceives as an opponent. Security forces increasingly use force against protestors and other civilians, often without provocation, and act with impunity. The Government publicly has defended its right to treat individuals roughly, including those in custody, and has warned of more such abuses. A particular concern is the Government's use of youth militia to suppress dissent. These so-called "Green Bombers" have perpetrated some of the worst offenses, are undisciplined, and often are under the influence of drugs. "While heavily-populated urban areas remain the focal point for the Government's crackdown, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of indiscriminate state-sponsored violence in rural areas, including tourist, hunting, and safari areas. American citizens in Zimbabwe should minimize travel within the country and, to the extent practicable, avoid public places and gatherings. The Government frequently uses road blocks to enforce order. Road blocks can be particularly dangerous, and extreme caution should be used when approaching them. Travelers should comply with instructions from police or other security officials to stop at road blocks. Travelers are advised to carry a mobile phone or other means of communication. "In light of the current circumstances, U.S. citizens are advised to consider the risks before traveling to Zimbabwe at this time."

Golf carts may become a common sight on Capitol Hill due to new, tighter security restrictions. Under the new restrictions imposed by the U.S. Capitol Police, tour buses are no longer permitted to drop off visitors on the Capitol Hill Grounds. To that end, the new policy prohibits tour buses from unloading passengers at the following locations:

• Independence Avenue (between Washington Avenue, SW and 2nd Street, SE)
• Constitution Avenue (between Louisiana Avenue, NW and 2nd Street, NE)
• 1st Street (between D Street, NE and D Street, SE)
• 1st Street (between Maryland Avenue, and Independence Avenue, SW)
• 2nd Street (between D Street, NE and D Street, SE)

Buses are only permitted to enter the area from routes a few blocks from the Capitol, including 3rd Street and Maryland Avenue, SW and 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Similarly, they must exit at 3rd Street and Maryland Avenue, SW; 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; or 1st Street and Louisiana Avenue, NW. To aid visitors, such as the elderly, children, the mobility impaired and others who may not be able to walk the extra distance, a fleet of golf carts are being used to shuttle passengers from tour buses to Capitol Hill. The Capitol Police said the decision to tighten security around the Capitol, one of the city's top visitor attractions, is a "precautionary move...not predicated on any known threats." 

Previous Updates