Assistance for U.S. Citizens in Israel

The State Department continues to closely monitor the security situation on a 24/7 basis. All U.S. citizens in Israel are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) here: https://step.state.gov/step/. Enrolling in STEP will ensure you receive important information about safety conditions and help the State Department contact you, if needed.

Departing from Israel

  • Assisted departure flights by the U.S. government, for U.S. citizens in Israel, have now begun. To sign up, one MUST register via the crisis intake form (https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake).
  • The State Department will then contact you from there via e-mail for opportunities. This likely will be very short notice so keep checking e-mail regularly, including throughout the night. There will be three potential options given: flights to Athens, Greece, and Frankfort, Germany. There will also be a cruise option from Haifa to Cyprus.
  • You CANNOT choose the method of going home and must go with whichever option is offered – and once you get out of Israel, you have to figure out how to return to the U.S. from there – including lodging and travel. You must also sign a promissory note and pay back the government at a later date for the cost of your travel out of Israel.
  • You will be allowed one carry-on (up to 20lbs), one suitcase (up to 50lbs), and no pets will be allowed. If you need to ship more than you can take on the plane, you are able to contact the local FedEx, UPS, etc. for shipping back to the U.S.
  • Once you are out of Israel, if you cannot afford a flight back to the U.S., you can request a loan from the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate.
  • Unfortunately, there is no current guidance for U.S. citizens who are in Gaza. The State Department is trying to work with the United Nations on how to get citizens back to the U.S. However, the crisis intake form now has a Gaza option, separate from Israel. It is acknowledged that this will be challenging with the limited power/internet in Gaza.

We are continuing to get information out regarding resources for U.S. citizens as quickly as we can. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my district office at (734) 853-3040!
Issues: Congress