Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is sharing updated resources for U.S. citizens in Israel who need assistance evacuating.
The U.S. State Department announced that starting tomorrow, Friday, October 13, the U.S. government will arrange charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel. These initial transportation options will be augmented in the coming days.
Senior State Department officials are actively working with airline carriers and international partners on how best to provide additional options to U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel or conduct onward travel to the United States.
U.S. citizens seeking U.S. government-provided departure assistance should contact the State Department by using the crisis intake form (https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake) or by calling 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) or 1-606-641-0131.
U.S. citizens who wish to leave Israel on their own and can do so safely should check the status of the border crossings or verify flights have not been cancelled before heading to the Ben Gurion Airport. Commercial flights are available but limited. The U.S. State Department encourages U.S. citizens who wish to leave Israel to take advantage of those options now.
Any Georgians in Israel or who have family or friends in Israel can also contact Sen. Ossoff’s office for assistance by visiting ossoff.senate.gov or by calling 470-786-7800.
For any U.S. citizens in Israel — or for those with any family or friends currently in Israel — please find guidance below from the U.S. State Department on how to access this Departure Assistance and please feel free to share this information within your communities and on social media:
- U.S. citizens who wish to leave Israel on their own and can do so safely should check the status of the border crossings or verify flights have not been cancelled before heading to the Ben Gurion Airport. Commercial flights are available but limited. The U.S. State Department encourages U.S. citizens who wish to leave Israel to take advantage of those options now.
- For U.S. citizens who choose to take advantage of U.S. departure assistance, transportation may be by air or sea and will be to a nearby safe location and not to the United States.
- U.S. citizens seeking U.S. government-provided departure assistance should contact the State Department by using the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov (https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake) or by calling 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) or 1-606-641-0131.
- The State Department has a team communicating 24/7 with U.S. citizens and providing them assistance through phone calls and the online form. If U.S. citizens have departed Israel, the State Department asks them to submit an update to the form noting their departure.
- Travelers should be prepared to arrange their own lodging at the safe location and pay for their own onward travel from the third country to their chosen destination. The State Department will have consular officials on hand to assist travelers upon arrival.
- Departure assistance is provided via a loan from the U.S. government, which requires travelers to sign a promissory note (an agreement to repay) prior to departure.
- U.S. citizens should not go to a seaport, airport, or other departure location until notified by the State Department directly. Travel within Israel is conducted at the person’s own risk, and plans may change depending on the security situation.
- The State Department strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Israel to enroll their contact information in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP):https://step.state.gov/step/
- Further updates can also be found from the U.S. Embassy in Israel: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/.
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