Dear Friends:

My office has heard from many of our constituents who have been affected by the brutal terrorist attacks in Israel. My heart is with everyone who is grieving and suffering right now, and I am doing everything I can to ensure the security and safe passage home of all my constituents who are presently in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

My office has compiled the following resources to assist U.S. citizens in the region, so please consider them a resource if relevant: 

General Safety and Travel Information

• If you are a U.S. citizen currently in Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza, enrolling your contact information with the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) will help the U.S. Embassy in Israel contact you with updates and facilitate contact between you and your loved ones. Enroll now at https://step.state.gov/step/.
• If you are a U.S. citizen seeking to contact the U.S. Embassy in Israel, complete the crisis intake form at https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake, or call 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) or 1-606-641-0131. U.S. citizens in Israel should call the embassy local number (03-519-7426). The State Department’s crisis coordination division is assisting U.S. citizens 24/7.
• The Department of State has opened its call center to assist with public inquiries to the U.S. Embassy in Israel:
  o    From the U.S. & Canada – 1-888-407-4747 
  o    From Overseas –  +1 202-501-4444
• You can also stay informed about the latest travel information and safety guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Israel at https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/.
• For travel advisory updates pertaining to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, consult the State Department's official page at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/IsraeltheWestBankandGaza.html?wcmmode=disabled. 

Air Travel

• While Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, several major airlines have announced that they have suspended flights. Please check with airlines individually on the availability of flights and flight status or at Ben Gurion’s website here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures. If direct flights from Israel to the United States are unavailable, please consider traveling to a third country and booking a flight to the United States from there.
• Starting 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. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own travel arrangements to the destination of their choice. 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 in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov. The Department of State will communicate directly with U.S. citizens who have completed the crisis intake form via email. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance.

My office remains a resource for all constituents seeking information or assistance. If you need immediate help contacting the State Department or another federal agency, fill out our office’s privacy release form at https://raskin.house.gov/help-with-a-federal-agency or call my District office at 301-354-1000 so we can be of assistance.

Please continue to stay in close touch and hang tough through this crisis. 

Jamie Raskin

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