"An updated travel advisory issued Friday and posted on the embassy website warned that further advisories may be issued "in response to security incidents and without advance notice." The departure warning came amid ongoing threats of a U.S. attack on Iran and the high probability of Iranian retaliation against Israel and U.S. forces in the region."
"In a separate email to embassy staff Friday, Ambassador Mike Huckabee said those wishing to leave should do so "TODAY," booking any flight available to any other country. "Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to DC, but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country," Huckabee wrote."
"He added that the government would cover their evacuation costs under a policy that applies when "U.S. national interests or imminent threat to life requires it," said the official. Huckabee's email to the staff was first reported by the New York Times."
The U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory authorizing nonemergency staff and family members at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to depart Israel. Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff to leave immediately, booking any available flights to any country as a priority. The departure warning cited rising terrorism, civil unrest in Israel and the West Bank, armed conflict in Gaza, and tensions along borders with Syria and Lebanon. The advisory warned that further notices may be issued without advance notice in response to security incidents. The government committed to covering evacuation costs under policies applicable when U.S. national interests or imminent threats to life exist. The warning emerged amid ongoing threats of U.S. military action against Iran and high probability of Iranian retaliation against Israel and U.S. regional forces.
#us-embassy-evacuation #iran-israel-tensions #regional-security-crisis #state-department-travel-advisory
Read at The Washington Post
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