Cheap car rentals Israel - Areas of Instability

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Areas of Instability

AREAS OF INSTABILITY: U.S. Government personnel in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza are under tight security controls and occasionally they may be prohibited from traveling to sections of Jerusalem and parts of Israel depending on prevailing security conditions.

Jerusalem: In Jerusalem, travelers should exercise caution at religious sites on holy days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and dress appropriately when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods. Most roads into ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods are blocked off on Friday nights and Saturdays. Assaults on secular visitors, either for being in cars or for being "immodestly dressed," have occurred in these neighborhoods. Isolated street protests and demonstrations can occur in the commercial districts of East Jerusalem (Salah Eddin Street and Damascus Gate areas) during periods of unrest. U.S. Government American employees are authorized to travel to the Old City, commercial districts of East Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives during daylight hours. Although no security incidents have occurred recently within the Old City, visitors are urged to exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This is especially true when entering or exiting the city itself, when the volume of pedestrian traffic could create difficulties.

There have been increased reports of harassment of tourists by vendors in many tourist areas of Jerusalem, including, in particular, the Mount of Olives.

West Bank and Gaza: The U.S. Government currently prohibits U.S. Government American employees, officials, and dependents from traveling to the West Bank and Gaza, except for mission essential business. Private American citizens should avoid travel to these areas at this time. Embassy staff have also been prohibited from using Rt. 443 (the Modi'in Road) in Israel to travel to Jerusalem.

During periods of unrest, access to the West Bank and Gaza are sometimes closed off by the Israeli Government and those areas may be placed under curfew. All persons in areas under curfew should remain indoors or risk arrest or injury. Americans have been killed, seriously injured, detained and deported as a result of encounters with Israeli Defense Forces operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Travel restrictions may be imposed with little or no warning. Strict measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions, and the movement of Palestinian Americans with residency status in the West Bank or Gaza as well as foreign passport holders has been severely impaired. Due to current limitations on travel by U.S. Government employees to the West Bank and Gaza made necessary by the unrest and uncertain conditions, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to American citizens in need in these areas is considerably reduced at present.

Golan Heights: There are live land mines in many areas and visitors should walk only on established roads or trails. Near the northern border of Israel, rocket attacks from Lebanese territory can occur without warning.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.