Warden Message: Jerusalem Recommends Old City Avoidance

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem released the following Warden Message on October 2, 2009:

The final two of the local autumn holidays, Sukkot and Simhat Torah, will be celebrated this weekend and next.  American citizens should avoid the Old City for one week from sundown Friday, October 2nd, through sundown on Friday, October 9th, 2009.  Vehicle traffic in and around the Old City will be restricted by the Israeli National Police (INP).

Although it is a good idea to avoid the Old City for the entire week, Monday, October 5th, is expected to draw the largest crowds due to the annual pilgrimage by Jewish worshipers who will assemble at the Western Wall for special prayers.  

Additionally, political and religious tensions are expected to be high in the areas immediately adjacent to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound throughout this period.  A large police presence in the area may provoke spontaneous violence in the form of civil unrest and police actions.

Finally, the crowded environment could result in an uptick in criminal activity to include pickpockets, physical assaults and other crimes.  American citizens should avoid crowds and walking or driving around the Old City.  Carry a mobile phone and stay cognizant of your surroundings. 

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, and Travel Alerts can be found.  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 the United States and Canada, 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.)

Americans in Jerusalem are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 622-7250.