U.S. Embassy in Israel to Close on the 17th, Including Consular Sections

All Staff Ordered to Shelter at Home or in Safe Locations

Israel's defense system Iron Dome is intercepting missiles from Iran on the 17th (local time). Photo by EPA Yonhap News

The U.S. Embassy in Israel, located in Jerusalem, will be closed on the 17th (local time) as clashes with Iran intensify. All staff have been instructed to shelter at home or in a safe location.

In an emergency safety notice posted on its website on the 16th, the U.S. Embassy in Israel stated, "In accordance with the instructions of the Israeli Home Front Command and considering the security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (the 17th)."

This also applies to the consular sections, and the issuance of passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) at the consular sections in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will be temporarily suspended.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel announced, "Due to the ongoing conflict and security situation between Israel and Iran, all U.S. government employees and their families have been instructed to remain sheltered at home or nearby until further notice."

The embassy added, "Currently, the U.S. Embassy is unable to facilitate or directly assist with the departure of U.S. citizens from Israel," and explained, "Ben Gurion International Airport is closed, and both commercial and charter flights are not operating." The embassy also noted that Israel's seaports are currently closed.