Americans advised to exercise high vigilance in West Bank and Gaza

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has advised US citizens residing in or considering travel to the West Bank and Gaza to maintain a high level of vigilance and increase their security awareness.  Violence can occur with little or no warning, says the advisory, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, government checkpoints, markets and shopping facilities or government facilities.  Before visits to sites and events in those territories, US visitors are advised to carefully consider risks to their personal safety and security as potential targets.

US government personnel and their dependents living and working in Israel are prohibited from personal travel to the West Bank, with the exception of the portions of Route 1, Route 443, and Route 90 that traverse the West Bank.  Official travel of US government personnel is extremely limited throughout the West Bank and prohibited altogether to Gaza.