U.S. ends travel warning on Israel

WASHINGTON - U.S. believes Israel is safer now: For the first time in two years, the U.S. State Department is not flatly telling Americans to avoid travel to Israel. With terrorist incidents in decline, the department urged Americans only to "carefully weigh" the necessity of travel to Israel.

A flat-out warning not to go there was leveled by the State Department two years ago and remained in effect until the new travel statement replaced it.

However, the U.S. government refuses to cancel the warning completely due to alerts in Israel regarding continued efforts by terrorists to carry out attacks and fear of settler violence during the scheduled disengagement.

The State Department warned Americans to defer unnecessary travel to the West Bank and to avoid Gaza entirely.

While terrorist attacks have declined, the potential for further violence remains high, the department said, adding that resentment against efforts to promote peace and ongoing Israeli military operations on the West Bank and in Gaza could incite violence.

The planned evacuation of Jewish settlers from Gaza this summer could prompt settler groups to hold demonstrations that could turn violent, the department said.

Without providing any details, the warning said the U.S. government has received information that indicates American "interests" within Israel could be the focus of terrorist attacks and therefore American citizens should avoid restaurant and business districts affiliated with the U.S. or and refrain from gathering near the American embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem.

Moreover, the warning forbids official U.S. representatives in Israel from traveling to the West Bank.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon said “This is a step in the right direction and we hope in the future an inclusive cancellation of the warning would be decided on.”

Israeli officials were unhappy with the old warning. Tourism was already in decline because of suicide bombings, and Americans looking to their own government for advice were being told under all circumstances to stay away.

The travel warning revision comes in the wake of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s expected visit to the U.S. to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush.