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US Embassy in Jerusalem restarts operations amid Israel-Iran truce

Regularly scheduled U.S. passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad appointments resumed as normal in Jerusalem.

U.S. Embassy in Israel
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, May 7, 2018. Credit: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem via Wikimedia Commons.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced on Wednesday that it had opened “as usual,” with shelter in place orders for U.S. government employees and their family members lifted in light of the Israel-Iran ceasefire that came into effect the previous day.

Scheduled U.S. passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad appointments resumed as normal, the embassy said on its website.

The embassy will “accept walk-ins (no appointment necessary) for U.S. citizens needing a limited-validity, emergency passport in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for those in line before 8:30 a.m.”

Requests for Visa will resume in both the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv consuls on June 30.

Travel restrictions on government employees remained within the greater Tel Aviv area (including Herzliya, Netanya and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem and Beersheva.

The U.S. embassy noted that transit between these three areas was authorized, including on Route 1 to and from Allenby Bridge on the border with Jordan.

The Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command declared a return to routine on Tuesday evening. Additionally, the Israel Airports Authority lifted restrictions on the number of incoming and departing flights, with Israel’s three flag carriers El Al, Arkia and Israir resuming operations immediately.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department continued to operate limited assisted departure flights from Israel, after the 12-day closure of Israel’s airports in light of the war.

During the war on June 21, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced “Operation Exodus” to help American citizens leave Israel.

He noted that the embassy had “arranged for masses to leave” and was “working around the clock” to help departures.

Last week, Huckabee said that the Trump administration was looking at different ways to get U.S. citizens out of Israel.

“We’re working to get military, commercial, charter flights and cruise ships for evac,” he tweeted.

Pramila Patten also boasted that she had informed the Israeli mission to the United Nations that she would refuse to visit its detention facilities “even if they offered.”
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