Talking Points: Israel, The West Bank and Gaza (April 11, 2017)
Talking Points – Israel
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The following Talking Points may be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing travel to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. (Updated April 11, 2017)
1. Although the U.S. State Department has updated its longstanding Travel Warning for Israel, it does not explicitly warn against traveling there.
2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure their safety and well-being. First and foremost: pack your common sense.
3. Safety is our top priority for our clients. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.
1. Although the U.S. State Department has updated its longstanding Travel Warning for Israel, it does not explicitly warn against traveling there.
On April 11, 2017, the U.S. State Department updated its longstanding Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, which are all included together despite political divisions:
o The Travel Warning does not specifically warn against travel to Israel, but instead advises that “the possibility of random violence continues to exist and can happen without warning.”
“The security situation remains complex in Israel …and can change quickly depending on the political environment, recent events, and particular geographic location. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings when traveling to areas where there are heightened tensions and security risks.”
o The Travel Warning does not specifically warn against travel to the West Bank, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Instead, the State Department advises that “the possibility of random violence continues to exist and can happen without warning.”
“The security situation remains complex in …the West Bank and can change quickly depending on the political environment, recent events, and particular geographic location. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings when traveling to areas where there are heightened tensions and security risks.”
o The Travel Warning specifically warns against all travel to the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
“The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Gaza Strip and urges those present to depart.
“Gaza is under the control of Hamas, a U.S. government-designated foreign terrorist organization. The security environment within Gaza and on its borders is dangerous and volatile.”
“Violent demonstrations and shootings occur on a frequent basis and the collateral risks are high.”
o The State Department repeatedly notes the complexity of the region: “While Israel and Hamas continue to observe the temporary cease-fire that ended the latest Gaza conflict in 2014, sporadic mortar or rocket fire and corresponding Israeli military responses continue to occur.”
“Within Israel and the West Bank, the possibility of random violence continues to exist and can happen without warning.”
“U.S. citizens have been killed and wounded in recent attacks, though there is no indication they were specifically targeted based on nationality. Perceived religious affiliation was a factor in some of the attacks, and the majority of recent attacks have targeted uniformed Israeli security forces often in proximity to checkpoints throughout Jerusalem and the West Bank or near religious sites significant to multiple faiths.”
o Also according to the U.S. State Department, “The Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority both make considerable efforts to ensure security, particularly in areas where foreigners frequently travel.”
Major metropolitan areas in Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, continue to be popular destinations for tourists and are similar to major cities around the world with regard to personal safety. However, the State Department notes that U.S. citizens should:
o Maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times;
o Avoid demonstrations – which can turn violent – and steer clear of neighborhoods where police have restricted access;
o Beware of and report unattended items or packages;
o Follow the instructions of security and emergency officials;
o Report suspicious activities or items to security officials; and
o Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter.
U.S. citizens planning their own travel should consider the rules that apply to U.S. government employee travel, including:
o With the exception of Jericho, Bethlehem, and along Routes 1, 443, and 90, U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel within the West Bank. Restrictions on personal travel by U.S. government employees may change depending on the security environment;
o U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel into Jerusalem’s Old City on Fridays during the Muslim month of Ramadan. The U.S. government occasionally restricts travel for its employees to the Old City based on the current security environment;
o U.S. government staff take additional security precautions when visiting refugee camps and “seam areas” where Israelis and Palestinians intersect and which have historically been flashpoints for violence. For example, sites with significant religious meaning to multiple faiths can be subject to violent protests or security incidents with little to no warning, especially on or around significant religious holidays;
o U.S. government employees are prohibited from using public buses and public bus terminals throughout Israel and the West Bank
o Additional security requirement apply when U.S. government employees are traveling close to the Lebanese and Egyptian borders, within 7 miles of the Gaza demarcation line and on Route 98 in the Golan.
2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure their safety and well-being. First and foremost: pack your common sense.
If our clients are going to pack one thing, we’d strongly recommend it be common sense. No matter what our clients’ age or destination, they should always use good common sense when it comes to their personal safety, just as they would at home.
To maximize safety and security while traveling in Israel or any other international destination:
o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.
o Stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities.
o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.
o Visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas, and avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur.
o Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member back home.
o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 4G international networks.
o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items.
o Make every attempt to travel during daylight hours, and stick to main roads.
We recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register their travel plans at https://step.state.gov. This will help the State Department contact travelers if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or in the event an emergency transpires in the place where the individual is traveling.
3. Safety is our top priority for our clients. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts as well as the more severe travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.
Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is currently located, we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.
We make certain to work with a select group of travel partners who take the safety and security of our clients as seriously as we do.