WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - The United States has warned US citizens of possible terrorist attacks directed at Americans in Israel during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and slapped tough restrictions on the movements of its diplomats in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the State Department said Monday.
The travel limits were imposed last week after the US embassy in Tel Aviv said it had learned terrorists might be planning attacks on US interests throughout Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the coming weeks, it said.
"The US government has recently received information that American interests could be the focus of upcoming terrorist attacks, including within Israel," the embassy said in an October 21 notice.
The little publicized notice, a copy of which was provided to AFP by the State Department, also said that US diplomats in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem had been ordered to severely restrict their movements.
"Instructions provided to American employees of the US embassy in Tel Aviv and the American consulate general in Jerusalem have been clarified to forbid use of all, repeat all, public transportation, including buses and trains and respective stations/terminals," it said.
In addition, embassy and consulate employees have been barred from entering the Old City in Jerusalem on Fridays through the end of Ramadan which began in mid-October and will conclude on November 13.
"The embassy and consulate general have declared the Old City of Jerusalem off-limits to American personnel Fridays during the daytime in the month of Ramadan ... as well as during hours of darkness every day," it said.
"American citizens should also avoid crowded venues such as shopping and market areas, pedestrian zones, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and public demonstrations," the embassy said.
10/26/2004 01:16 GMT - AFP