Amid rising tensions with Iran, the U.S. State Department has authorized non-essential staff at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to exit Israel. This announcement, made early Friday, highlights the potential threat of strikes on Iran. The embassy warned that “due to security incidents and without prior notice,” there might be further travel restrictions imposed on U.S. government employees within Israel.

This decision followed a series of urgent meetings and phone calls spanning Thursday night into Friday. The New York Times revealed details from an email sent by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to embassy staff.

According to The Times, Ambassador Huckabee described the move as stemming from “an abundance of caution.” He advised those wishing to leave to do so immediately, suggesting they secure flights from Ben Gurion Airport to any available destination, while noting that the embassy’s guidance “will likely result in high demand for airline seats today.”

The directive, permitting non-essential embassy personnel to withdraw from Israel, comes as part of the U.S.’s response to the escalating situation with Iran. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In his email, Huckabee emphasized that there was “no need to panic,” yet he advised those considering departure to “plan to leave sooner rather than later,” as reported by The Times.

“Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to D.C., but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country,” Huckabee said in the email, according to the Times.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel, arrives to testify during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Mar. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The embassy reiterated the State Department’s advisory for U.S. citizens to reconsider traveling to Israel and the West Bank “due to terrorism and civil unrest.” Additionally, the department advised that U.S. citizens not travel to Gaza because of terrorism and armed conflict, as well as northern Israel, particularly within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders because of “continued military presence and activity.” 

It also recommended that U.S. citizens not travel within 1.5 miles of the Egyptian border, with the exception of the Taba crossing, which remains open.

“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the embassy said in its warning. “The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.”

Israeli and U.S. flags are placed on the road leading to the U.S. consulate in the Jewish neighborhood of Arnona, on the East-West Jerusalem line in Jerusalem, May 9, 2018. (Corinna Kern/picture alliance via Getty Images)

While the embassy did not specifically mention Iran in its warning, it referenced “increased regional tensions” that could “cause airlines to cancel and/or curtail flights into and out of Israel.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and the White House for comment on this matter.

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