Posted: 1:46 pm PT
Updated: 9:41 pm PT
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Update: As of 1315 EST on December 6, 2017, the State Department has established a task force to track worldwide developments following the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The task force is located in the Operations Center and will include representatives from NEA, SCA, EUR, EAP, CA, DS, PM, PA, and H.
On December 6, President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel (see Trump Admin Gets Multiple Warnings That Jerusalem Recognition Could Trigger Dangerous Consequences).
Politico reported on December 4 that the State Department has warned American embassies worldwide to heighten security ahead of a possible announcement. “The warning — delivered in the past week via two classified cables described by State Department officials — reflects concern that such an announcement could provoke fury in the Arab world.”
A day before the expected Jerusalem recognition announcement, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem issued a security message informing citizens that U.S. government employees and their family members are not permitted until further notice to conduct personal travel in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank, to include Bethlehem and Jericho. It also notes that official travel by U.S. government employees in Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank is permitted only to conduct essential travel and with additional security measures. (See Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Jerusalem, Demonstrations on December 6).
On December 6, US Embassy Amman in Jordan reminded U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security. It also temporarily suspended routine public services. As well, U.S. government personnel and their family members in Jordan are limiting public movements, including an instruction for children not to attend school on December 7, 2017.(see Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Amman (Jordan), Possibility of Demonstrations, Temporary Suspension of Routine Public Services).
As of this writing, the following posts have issued security messages related to the Jerusalem recognition, some outside the immediate region. Some of our posts in the NEA Bureau have yet to issue similar messages.
Should we remind folks of their “no double standard policy”?
Generally, if the State Department shares information with the official U.S. community, it should also make the same or similar information available to the non-official U.S. community if the underlying threat applies to both official and non-official U.S. citizens/nationals. If a post issues information to its employees about potentially dangerous situations, it should evaluate whether the potential danger could also affect private U.S. citizens/nationals living in or traveling through the affected area.
The following security messages via DS/OSAC:
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Berlin (Germany), Personal Security Reminder
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Minsk (Belarus), Personal Security Reminder
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Ankara (Turkey), Demonstrations on December 6
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Lisbon (Portugal), White House Announcement on Jerusalem
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Rome (Italy), Personal Security Reminder
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Madrid (Spain), Personal Security Reminder
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: London (United Kingdom), Possible Protests
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Rabat (Morocco), Demonstrations
🇪🇸 Security Message from U.S. Embassy in #Spain reminds of the need for caution and awareness of personal security, notes #Jerusalem recognition may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent. https://t.co/Nc5wZ0drx7 pic.twitter.com/sge1e1di35
— OSAC (@OSACState) December 6, 2017
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Possibility of Demonstrations, Temporary Suspension of Routine Public Services
U.S. Embassy, Amman, Jordan
December 6, 2017 pic.twitter.com/BB9KDoHYyD— U.S. Embassy Jordan (@USEmbassyJordan) December 6, 2017
🇹🇷 Security Message from U.S. Embassy in #Ankara notes protest activity this evening in the vicinity of several U.S. government diplomatic offices in #Turkey. https://t.co/qZY4tUEdbb pic.twitter.com/AQlyXoFI1G
— OSAC (@OSACState) December 6, 2017
Rex Tillerson announces the state department will "immediately" start preparations to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/O6GwgHvnH6
— Julian Borger (@julianborger) December 6, 2017
Trump has named Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. https://t.co/1WLXyGgPQp
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) December 6, 2017
@TravelGov @StateDeptDSS @stateDept How come USCG Jerusalem appears to be the only one out with a security msg? If USG employees were warned, public should be, too. #nodoublestandardpolicy https://t.co/OAJFTmzNJZ
— Diplopundit (@Diplopundit) December 6, 2017
Security Message from U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem: Demonstration activity expected Wednesday; US Government employees and their families are prohibited from traveling to Old City #Jerusalem & #WestBank until further notice: https://t.co/kTpdMIT6nA pic.twitter.com/HizUtcvROS
— OSAC (@OSACState) December 5, 2017
Breaking : All Palestinian factions in a statement calling for 3 days of rage( Wednesday, Thursday& Friday) inside& outside #Palestine to reject #Trump intention to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to #Jerusalem, the statement asking for demo around US Embassies around the world
— Nasser Atta (@nasseratta5) December 5, 2017
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