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U.S. Issues Travel Warning For Israel
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| Palestinians in harm's way as Americans issued travel warning for Israel |
By
Ayesha Ahmad, IOL Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON,
April 3 (IslamOnline) - In the wake of spiraling violence in the
Middle East, the U.S. on Tuesday reiterated its call for both parties
to find a political solution, while the State Department said it would
allow family members of diplomats in Jerusalem to leave Israel at the
government's expense in an updated travel warning.
"The
Department has authorized the departure of family members of the U.S.
consulate general in Jerusalem" in light of the deterioration of
the situation in past weeks, deputy State Department spokesman Philip
Reeker told reporters Tuesday.
An
"authorized departure" is one step down from an ordered
departure; dependents of diplomats are authorized to depart Israel for
the United States at government expense for the next 30 days, at which
point the policy will be reviewed before being extended or suspended.
"This
is a step we've taken to allow family members, dependents of our
personnel to depart voluntarily as a result of the increase in
terrorist attacks and escalation of violence there," Reeker said.
The
statement issued Tuesday by the State Department "warns U.S.
citizens to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.”
"The
situation in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank remains extremely
volatile with continuing terrorist attacks, confrontations and
clashes. As a result of the ongoing violence, the Department of State
has authorized the voluntary departure from Jerusalem of U.S.
Consulate dependents."
The
travel warning notes difficulties American citizens may experience, as
Palestinians have been experiencing, at Israeli checkpoints.
"All
travelers who enter or travel in Gaza or the West Bank should expect
delays and difficulties at checkpoints located throughout those areas,
and should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling
through checkpoints," the statement says.
It
also warns American citizens to avoid places that have been frequent
targets of bomb attacks in Israel "such as restaurants and cafes,
shopping areas and malls, pedestrian zones, public buses and bus stops
or other crowded venues and the areas around them."
Although
Reeker did not mention any connection with the travel warning, on
Monday he addressed the wounding of two American citizens by Israeli
fire.
"We
are deeply concerned by Israeli Defense Force actions that put
civilians in harm's way," he said during a press briefing Monday,
"including the shooting of peaceful demonstrators in Beit Jala
today that… left two American citizens injured, one seriously.
"It
is imperative that Israeli Defense Forces exercise the utmost
restraint and discipline to avoid further harm to civilians or
worsening the humanitarian situation inside the Palestinian areas.”
He
said the U.S. urged the Israeli government to investigate the case
thoroughly, to ensure that such incidents would not be repeated.
Secretary
of State Colin Powell spoke to the increase in violence Tuesday
morning on a number of talk shows, emphasizing the U.S. belief that
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat still played a vital role in the
peace process, despite Israel's attempt to place him into exile. He
also reiterated the administration's continuing message to Arafat
regarding his responsibility in ending the violence.
"At
this late date, I say to Chairman Arafat, unconditionally commit to
the Tenet work plan," Powell said in an interview on ABC's Good
Morning America.
Reeker
added that the U.S. wanted hardline Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon to "be mindful of the necessity of finding a way to
achieve a peaceful solution through political means" and to
Israeli forces to "exercise restraint."
He
said it was important for the army to "ensure that maximum care
is taken to prevent harm to humanitarian workers" and put in
place procedures to allow safe passage through checkpoints and other
situations for humanitarian workers helping the sick or wounded.
"We
understand the Israeli need to act in self-defense" in response
to attacks, he said, and "as the Secretary said, get it over with
as quickly as possible."
He
also expressed concern about the banning of journalists from the West
Bank, saying it was very important for Israeli forces to take care
with regards to all civilians, including journalists, but that
journalists also needed to have access.
He
said the U.S. would continue to monitor the situation with regard to
journalists' safety and access.
Reeker
also reiterated Washington's support for a U.N. Security Council
resolution passed this weekend that called for the immediate
withdrawal of Israeli forces, although he did not say that the U.S.
was passing this message on directly to Israel.
"Resolution
1402, passed early Saturday morning, supported by the United States…
calls upon both parties to move immediately to a meaningful
cease-fire," he said on Monday. "It also calls for the
withdrawal of Israeli forces. And those are critical steps that should
be undertaken now."
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