The State Department is cautioning American citizens not to participate in future attempts to infiltrate Gaza by sea, as part of a new travel warning released this week.
“U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest and deportation of U.S. citizens,” the warning states.
It also recommended more generally that U.S. citizens not travel to Gaza or any of the neighboring Israel towns hit by rockets attacks; be cautious in Jerusalem, particularly on holy days and near public spaces targeted by terrorists; and be aware that Israel routinely imposes closures on the West Bank and can otherwise make it difficult to travel in the area.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry earlier welcomed a similar warning issued by Britain, saying that such statements were significant because they made it clear that these governments view the attempt to break the blockade negatively, and hint that those who do take part should not later come to their home governments looking for support. — ap