State Department elevates travel advisory for Israel to "do not travel," highest level

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: June 16, 2025 / 9:17 PM EDT


Washington — The State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4, the highest level, and warned U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to "armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest."

The escalated warning from the State Department comes on the fourth day of attacks exchanged between Israel and Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes against Israel after its sweeping attacks targeting military and nuclear infrastructure late last week. Tehran said at least 224 people have be en killed in the assault since last Friday. At least 24 people in Israel have died in Iranian ballistic missile launches that have managed to make it through Israeli air defenses, Israel's military said.

"The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning," the State Department said in its travel advisory.

The department also warned Americans against traveling "for any reason" to the West Bank due to "terrorism and civil unrest" and to Gaza because of "terrorism and armed conflict." It told those who decide to go to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to take certain precautions, including drafting a will and securing food, supplies and medicine for an "extended or indefinite period" because of closed border crossings with Israel and Egypt.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/state-department-elevates-israel-travel-advisory-israel-do-not-travel-highest-level/

[babylonsister]

1. The major airport (Ben Gurion?) is closed until further notice, so this seems

moot.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It's not moot

I know when I went to Egypt (over 30 years ago - back then, they would usually do the Arab country first and then finish their trip in Israel before flying home as there were often issues with Arab countries seeing Israeli visa stamps in a passport - which prompted some to have separate, removable sheets for their passport book) - there were people on my flight over who were going to do land travel to Israel during a later leg. You also have people traveling to Jordan and Lebanon who could do land travel.

So this is basically telling American citizens to avoid the area (especially since missiles have been targeting both the north and south).