US Embassy in Jerusalem tells Americans to consider leaving Israel as Iran conflict escalates

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has issued a series of security alerts urging American citizens in Israel to seriously consider their departure options. The reason is about as straightforward as geopolitical warnings get: the ongoing military conflict with Iran has made the region increasingly dangerous, and getting out is getting harder by the day. The embassy published alerts on March 22, 23, and 25, each escalating in urgency. Wide-body flights out of Ben Gurion Airport are now capped at just 130 passengers per aircraft, a restriction that effectively creates a bottleneck for anyone trying to leave through conventional commercial aviation. The exit plan: buses to Jordan The US State Department has arranged bus services running from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan, starting March 23. From there, travelers can access Jordan’s international airport for onward flights. Americans taking this route need to be prepared for additional costs and logistics. A visa on arrival at the Jordanian border runs $60, and travelers are responsible for arranging their own onward travel once they reach Amman. The embassy had already authorized the departure of non-emergency staff and their famili...