Dear Colleagues:
On July 21, 2014 the US Department of State upgraded its travel travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. On July 22, a rocket landed in the vicinity of the Tel Aviv airport. As a result numerous US and European air carriers have suspended flights. The University of Oregon has been monitoring and assessing these developments and has consulted key partners to gather relevant input and guidance.
We are aware of four UO students currently in Israel, none of whom are participating in programs sponsored by the UO Study Abroad office (they made their own arrangements to be in Israel, most in coordination with their academic departments).
In view of this situation, the UO Office of International Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of Risk Management, recommends that members of the UO community (e.g., students, faculty, staff) currently in Israel take the following steps:
1. Read, understand and heed the current US State Department Travel Warning for Israel which:
- Recommends that "U.S. citizens consider the deferral of non-essential travel to Israel."
- Clarifies that "we are not evacuating U.S. citizens out of Israel."
- Reiterates the "longstanding strong warning to U.S. citizens against any travel to the Gaza Strip."
- Notes that "travelers should avoid areas of Israel in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip due to the real risks presented by small arms fire, anti-tank weapons, rockets, and mortars, as attacks from Gaza can come with little or no warning."
- Link to full text of travel warning http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/israel…
2. Be in contact with your UO sponsoring department/faculty and with the Office of International Affairs or Office of Risk Management (contact information below) to let us know your whereabouts and plans and to be ready to receive updated information and advice.
3. Avoid less secure situations and locations, especially the Israeli southern coast.
4. Develop a plan for the possible need to leave Israel should the security situation worsen or you feel uncomfortable with your current situation.
5. Students and others who are hosted by a local university or program should consult with host officials to obtain up to date and locally specific advice about the security situation and locations which may be less secure and should be avoided.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact:
Stephen Wooten, Associate Vice Provost and Director of Study Abroad, swooten@uoregon.edu, 541-346-3207, 541-346-2912
Sincerely,
Dennis Galvan
Vice Provost for International Affairs
Professor of International Studies and Political Science
University of Oregon
333 Oregon Hall
Eugene, OR 97403-5209
541-346-5851
fax-541-346-5041
dgalvan@uoregon.edu