The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of my highest priorities. As we continue to closely monitor the unfolding deadly terrorist attack against Israel, my office is committed to providing resources and information to constituents with questions and concerns.
Starting Friday, October 13, the U.S. government will arrange charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice. These initial transportation options will be augmented in the coming days. Senior State Department officials are actively working with airline carriers and international partners on how best to provide additional options to U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel or conduct onward travel to the United States. U.S. citizens in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov.
The State Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and evaluate the demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Israel on a real-time basis but expect these initial travel options to facilitate the safe departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance.
The State Department will have more to share in the coming days and will provide updates to U.S. citizens who have registered via our online form. We will continue to provide updates and assistance to U.S. citizens as the situation evolves.
The U.S. Department of State has a 24/7 coordinating group communicating with U.S. citizens and providing them assistance. U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can fill out the form (https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake) or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.
For the latest updates, please monitor the messages to U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Israel: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/
Please ask any U.S. citizens in Israel to enroll their contact information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/step/
My office will post additional updates to the State Department’s travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza as they are issued: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/IsraeltheWestBankandGaza.html