The U.
S. Embassy in Jerusalem has authorized non-essential American personnel to depart Israel amid mounting security concerns and the prospect of strikes involving Iran.
According to Fox News, the embassy disclosed early Friday that, "in response to security incidents and without advance notice" it may also impose additional limits on where U.S. government employees are allowed to travel inside Israel. The move reflects a broader posture of heightened vigilance under President Trumps second administration, which has consistently emphasized protecting American lives while supporting Israels right to defend itself.
The decision followed a series of late-night meetings and phone calls from Thursday into Friday, as reported by The New York Times, which obtained an email sent by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to embassy staff. The Times noted that Huckabee attributed the step to "an abundance of caution" and instructed that those who wish to leave "should do so TODAY."
Huckabee reportedly urged personnel to secure flights out of Ben Gurion Airport to any available destination, warning that the embassys decision "will likely result in high demand for airline seats today." In a bid to balance urgency with calm, he added there was "no need to panic," while stressing that those considering departure should "make plans to depart sooner rather than later," according to the Times.
The ambassador further advised staff to prioritize speed over convenience in their travel plans. "Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to D.C., but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country," Huckabee said in the email, as cited by the Times.
The embassy also reiterated the State Departments standing advisory that U.S. citizens should reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank "due to terrorism and civil unrest." Americans were additionally warned not to travel to Gaza because of terrorism and armed conflict, and to avoid northern Israel, particularly within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, due to "continued military presence and activity."
The guidance extended to areas near Egypt, recommending that U.S. citizens not travel within 1.5 miles of the Egyptian border, except for the Taba crossing, which remains open. The embassy cautioned that "Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza," and that such actors "may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."
"The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning," the warning continued. While Iran was not explicitly named, the embassy cited "increased regional tensions" that could "cause airlines to cancel and/or curtail flights into and out of Israel."
That acknowledgment of regional volatility underscores the persistent threat environment facing Americas closest ally in the Middle East and the Americans stationed there. Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to the State Department and the White House for comment, as the administration weighs how to balance steadfast support for Israel with the imperative of safeguarding U.S. personnel in an increasingly unstable region.
Login