US allows some embassy staff to leave Israel, citing safety risks
The Straits Times
The embassy did not elaborate on the safety risks leading to the “authorised departure”. Read more at straitstimes.com.
JERUSALEM - The US will permit non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel over safety risks, the US Embassy in Jerusalem said on Feb 27, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran.
The embassy did not elaborate on the safety risks leading to the “authorised departure”, which allows affected personnel to decide whether to leave. It falls short of the ordered departure instituted this week for some personnel at the US Embassy in Beirut.
The New York Times reported that Mr Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, told staff in an email that those wishing to leave “should do so TODAY”.
“There is no need to panic,” Mr Huckabee was quoted by the newspaper as writing, “but for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”
The embassy declined to comment on the newspaper’s report.
The US has built up one of its biggest military deployments in the Middle East as it negotiates with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.
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