Jerusalem / Washington — U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has urged American embassy staff in Jerusalem who wish to depart the country to do so “TODAY,” citing mounting security concerns amid rising tensions in the Middle East, according to a report by The New York Times.
In an email sent to mission employees at 10:24 a.m. local time on Friday, Huckabee advised staff to secure seats on outbound commercial flights from Ben-Gurion Airport as soon as possible. The message emphasized urgency while stopping short of declaring an evacuation.
“There is no need to panic,” Huckabee wrote, but added that those considering departure should act “sooner rather than later.”
The U.S. Embassy has shifted to an “authorized departure” status, allowing nonessential personnel and their family members to leave Israel at government expense. Huckabee said the decision was taken out of “an abundance of caution” following consultations with the U.S. State Department.
Growing Fears of Regional Spillover
The warning comes as concerns intensify over the possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran, a scenario that could trigger retaliation against Israel by Iran or allied militant groups across the region. Israeli territory has previously been targeted by Iranian-backed forces in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and elsewhere.
Hours earlier, the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory authorizing the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Israel due to safety risks. The advisory also warned that the embassy may further restrict official travel to parts of Israel, including the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank, without advance notice.
“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the advisory stated.
Travel Warnings for US Citizens
The State Department urged U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest and reiterated its “do not travel” warning for Gaza because of ongoing armed conflict.
Additional advisories cautioned against travel within:
4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of the Lebanese and Syrian borders
11.3 kilometers (7 miles) of the Gaza demarcation line
The department said the security environment remains “complex and unpredictable,” warning that violence can occur without notice. Americans in Israel were advised to remain vigilant, avoid demonstrations, and review personal contingency plans.
Broader Regional Pressure on Iran
The developments come amid heightened international scrutiny of Iran’s internal and external actions. On Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that more Iranians could face execution following mass protests, calling for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty after courts issued the first protest-related death sentences this week.
At the same time, Iran’s foreign minister said progress in indirect talks with the United States would require Washington to avoid “miscalculation and excessive demands,” signaling continued diplomatic strain.
Situation Remains Fluid
U.S. officials have not announced a full evacuation of embassy personnel, and operations in Jerusalem are continuing. However, the unusually direct language used by the ambassador underscores the seriousness with which Washington is viewing the current security landscape.
As regional tensions deepen and diplomatic channels strain, U.S. officials have made clear that further restrictions—or escalatory steps—could follow with little warning.
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