If you are planning to travel into , the West Bank and the Gaza area, you should be aware of the following general security concerns for this region. Threats to American citizens and interests have been reiterated in this region. Security concerns for this region stem from the Palestinian Authority legislative elections which were held on January 25, 2006. At that time Hamas, which is a designated foreign terrorist organization, won a majority of the seats in the election. As a result, there has been intense uncertainty associated with the change in government. This uncertainty may lead to increased levels of instability in the West Bank and Gaza region.

As a result, the U.S. Department of State has urged American citizens to seriously consider whether their travel to is necessary. All unnecessary travel to the West Bank has been requested to be deferred while all travel to the Gaza Strip has been requested by the Department of State to be avoided by citizens.

Furthermore, American citizens in the Gaza Strip were requested to depart immediately as a result of a deadly roadside bomb, impacting a U.S. Embassy convoy in October, 2003.

You should be aware that lawless conditions prevail at the current time in the Gaza Strip. Israeli military operations in the region have continued. Areas experiencing violent conflict tend to move rapidly and without warning. Western citizens have been abducted by militants and held captive while terrorist organizations continue to threaten attacks against American interests.

Due to violence between militant groups based in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and Israeli Defense Forces, it should be noted that targeted assassinations of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as well as rocket attacks into tend to occur without notice. The security conditions in the West Bank and Gaza are quite uncertain at this time. The potential for violent protests as well as kidnappings of foreign nationals is quite high.

Most recently, Western citizens were assaulted and injured by Israeli settlers due to pro-Palestinian volunteer efforts. If you take part in even non-violent resistance or demonstrations, the Department of State urges you to cease all such activity immediately for your own safety.

At this time, government American personnel and their family are restricted from traveling to any locations in the West Bank unless required to do so for mission essential business. Routes 1 and 90 through the West Bank are open for travel for personnel and family members for limited personal travel. Prior notification to the Consulate General’s security office is required for each transit along this route. All travel along this route must occur prior to nighttime hours. Furthermore, only travel during daylight hours is now allowed along Route 443 between Jerusalem and Modi’in.

Be aware, if you do plan to travel in the Gaza Strip or West Bank, that you may not be allowed passage through the checkpoints. Expect delays.