Security Message for U.S. Citizens

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Possible Demonstrations in the Old City

The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem advises U.S. citizens that due to the possibility of demonstrations on Friday, September 14, the Old City of Jerusalem is off-limits to U.S. Government personnel that day.  U.S. citizens are advised to defer non-essential travel to the Old City and to generally exercise an extra measure of caution.

We remind U.S. citizens that due to the possibility of demonstrations throughout the West Bank, the U.S. Consulate General has limited both official and personal travel in the West Bank until further notice.  U.S. citizens are advised to defer non-essential travel to, and within, the West Bank and to exercise an extra measure of caution.

We also take this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens that demonstrations, even peaceful ones, can turn violent with little or no warning.  U.S. citizens should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and avoid large crowds.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution,  Country Specific Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found, including the current Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  For further information, U.S. citizens may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 630-4000 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 during working hours. After hours (for emergencies), U.S. citizens may telephone either the Consulate General at: (972) (2) 622-7250, or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at: (972) (3) 519-7551. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.

For your information, below we are also retransmitting an emergency message for U.S. citizens issued by the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan on September 12, 2012.

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Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

Subject:  Possible Demonstrations at U.S. Embassy Amman

In light of attacks yesterday against official U.S. facilities in Cairo and Benghazi, The Embassy is carefully monitoring the security situation in Amman and throughout the country.  At this juncture, there is no information indicating that similar, violent actions will take place in Jordan.

There are a limited number of websites that call for peaceful demonstrations in front of the Embassy over the next two days.  There are no additional details available at this time and the information has yet to be confirmed by the local authorities.  As a precautionary measure, the Embassy has increased its security presence at our facilities.

Protests may take place elsewhere in Amman and in other cities in Jordan.  U.S. citizens should avoid areas where demonstrations are ongoing.  As a reminder, spontaneous and/or planned demonstrations occur in Jordan from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  We remind U.S. citizens that protests intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  We therefore urge U.S. citizens to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within their vicinity.  As always, please be aware of your surroundings and monitor local media.
The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman is located on Al-Umawiyyeen Street, Abdoun, P.O. Box 354.  The telephone number is [962] (6) 590-6000, and the fax number is [962] (6) 592-4102.  The after-hours emergency telephone number is [962] (6) 590-6500.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad regularly should monitor the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  U.S. citizens should also review "A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.