State Dept authorizes non-essential US Embassy personnel in Jerusalem to depart ahead of possible Iran strikes

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TheState Departmentis allowing non-essential personnel working at the U.S.Embassy in Jerusalem to leave Israel ahead ofpossible strikes on Iran.The embassy announced the decision early Friday morning and said that “in response to security incidents and without advance notice” it could place further restrictions on where U.S.government employees can travel within Israel.

The decision came after meetings and phone calls through the night Thursday into Friday, according toThe New York Times, which reviewed a copy of an email that U.S.Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sent to embassy workers.

The Times reported that the ambassador said in his email that the move was a result of “an abundance of caution” and that those wishing to leave “should do so TODAY.” He reportedly urged them to look for flights out ofBen Gurion Airportto any destination, cautioning that the embassy’s move “will likely result in high demand for airline seats today.”

Donald Trump and Ali Khamenei in a split image

The U.S.has authorized non-essential embassy personnel to leave Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran.(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images;Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In the email, Huckabee also said that there was “no need to panic,” but he underscored that those looking to leave should “make plans to departsooner rather than later,” the Times reported.

“Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to D.C., but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country,” Huckabee said in the email, according to the Times.

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The embassyreiterated the State Department’s advisory for U.S.citizens to reconsider traveling to Israel and the West Bank “due to terrorism and civil unrest.” Additionally, the department advised that U.S.citizens not travel to Gaza because of terrorism and armed conflict, as well as northern Israel, particularly within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders because of “continued military presence and activity.”

It also recommended that U.S.citizens not travel within 1.5 miles of the Egyptian border, with the exception of the Taba crossing, which remains open.

“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the embassy said in its warning.“The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.”

Israeli and U.S.flags are placed on the road leading to the U.S.consulate in the Jewish neighborhood of Arnona, on the East-West Jerusalem line in Jerusalem, May 9, 2018.(Corinna Kern/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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While the embassy did not specifically mention Iran in its warning, it referenced “increased regional tensions” that could “cause airlines to cancel and/or curtail flights into and out of Israel.”