US allows some embassy staff to leave Israel, citing safety risks
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The embassy did not elaborate on the safety risks leading to the “authorised departure”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
JERUSALEM - The US will permit non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel over safety risks, the US Embassy in Jerusalem said on Feb 27, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran
The embassy did not elaborate on the safety risks leading to the “authorised departure”, which allows affected personnel to decide whether to leave. It falls short of the ordered departure instituted this week for some personnel at the US Embassy in Beirut.
The New York Times reported that Mr Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, told staff in an email that those wishing to leave “should do so TODAY”.
“There is no need to panic,” Mr Huckabee was quoted by the newspaper as writing, “but for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”
The embassy declined to comment on the newspaper’s report.
The US has built up one of its biggest military deployments in the Middle East
The latest round of talks ended on Feb 26 with no sign of a breakthrough.
Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked, and an escalation could also draw in Israel. The two foes fought a 12-day war in June.
Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to avoid travel to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. REUTERS
