REQUEST TO DEFER NON-MISSION CRITICAL TRAVEL

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000028 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (CAPTION & PARAGRAPH NUMBERING) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AMGT ASEC OVIP KWBG IS SUBJECT: REQUEST TO DEFER NON-MISSION CRITICAL TRAVEL REF: REFS: A) SIEVERS-NEA/IPA E-MAIL 12/31/08, B) SCHWEITZER-BLUHM-NEA/IPA EMAIL 12/31/08 ¶1. This is a joint Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate General Jerusalem message. ¶2. Due to ongoing military activities in the Gaza Strip, and ongoing rocket fire at southern Israeli cities (including a strike on the south Tel Aviv suburb of Rehovot on January 6),and regular demonstrations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate General Jerusalem request Department assistance with deferring all non-Mission Critical visitors at this time. Embassy and Consulate General resources have been strained by demands associated with the situation in Gaza and southern Israel, and we are unable to provide support for non-essential travel. We appreciate the Department's assistance with this matter, and will review our visit support capabilities as events unfold. CUNNINGHAM