My office continues to monitor the security situation in Israel closely. If you or a loved one need assistance, please review the resources below. For additional support, please contact my Central Brooklyn Office at (718) 237-2211 or my Washington D.C. Office at (202) 225-5936.
I strongly condemn the violent and ghastly attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The loss of life in Israel as a result of the violent, calculated and unprovoked attack by Hamas is heartbreaking. Read my full statement using the button below.
Evacuation Flights:
Ben Gurion International Airport is still operating international flights. U.S. citizens may book commercial flights, at their own expense, to leave Israel.
Starting Friday, October 13, the U.S. State Department will arrange charter flights to nearby countries 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. Individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice afterwards. By taking a U.S. government coordinated transport, evacuees are obligated to repay the cost of their transportation after the fact.
U.S. citizens who would like to take a charter flight should complete the State Department’s crisis intake form to receive flight information.
The State Department will 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.
Resources:
- For the latest updates, the U.S. Embassy in Israel posts ongoing security and travel messages at https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/
- The State Department has issued updated travel advisories for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/IsraeltheWestBankandGaza.html
- U.S. citizens seeking to travel to Israel should enroll their contact information and trip details in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- U.S. citizens wishing to depart Israel can check the status of Ben Gurion International Airport and flight status availability at: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures
- U.S. citizens can check the status of land border crossings as listed below:
- Allenby/King Hussein Bridge between Israel and the West Bank at https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/ or by calling 02-548-2600
- Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Beit Shaan at https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/jordan-river/ or by calling 04-609-3410
- Yitzhak Rabin/Arava Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Eilat at https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/ or by calling 08-630-0555
- Menachem Begin Crossing between Israel and Egypt near Eilat at https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/menachem-begin/ by calling 08-636-0999