Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, shared an update on his X account on Tuesday about the options Americans have when it comes to leaving Israel as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
Huckabee’s lengthy post on X comes days after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting the country’s military and naval forces and killing some prominent Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Following the attacks, Tehran retaliated by attacking Israeli sites and US military installations across Middle Eastern countries, plunging the region into a wider and renewed military confrontation. Loud explosions were heard across the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha and Riyadh.
The conflict has now entered its fourth day and thrown the aviation sector into chaos, with some of the world’s biggest airlines canceling or suspending flights to and from the region due to airspace closures.
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What options do Americans in Israel have to leave?
According to Huckabee, the possibilities of their departure are “very limited”. In the post, he suggested that for those stranded, the best option is to “use the Israel Ministry of Tourism shuttle bus to Taba, Egypt and get flights from there or continue to Cairo for flights back to the US.”
Huckabee gave details of those options, saying the embassy does not recommend exiting via Jordan, saying flights are not consistent, while access through the Allenby crossing is limited to certain hours.
Huckabee added that embassy staff are currently sheltering in place. “We understand that you may need to return home and avoid ongoing hotel expenses,” he wrote, citing their current recommendation.
Elaborating on the options available to Americans in Israel, he reported that the Ministry of Tourism operates buses to Taba, Egypt. Although this crossing is further away, according to Huckabee, it is open 24*7. Shuttles to Taba began on March 2. He added that while there are some flights from Taba to Cairo, there are also options to get to Cairo, where the airport is operating normally, except for flights to Middle Eastern countries.
For those who want to leave, Huckabee says it’s the best option available right now. He also said that another option for people who want to enter Jordan is to take a shuttle to Eilat and then continue by taxi to the Yitzhak Rabin (Wadi Araba) border crossing.
The shuttle departs from the following locations:
Herzliya: Train station parking lot
Haifa: Yad HaShmona train station parking lot
Jerusalem: Teddy Stadium, East Parking Lot
Tel Aviv: parking lot at the Savidor Center train station
More information shared by the US Ambassador
Some travelers are required to pay a visa fee; US citizens who remain in the Sinai area are exempt. Security conditions may change without notice, which may affect border access.
The Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba crossing into Jordan accepts its last passengers at 1900. Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan is open, with limited Royal Jordanian flights available. Passengers should confirm directly with the airlines and expect delays.
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Before traveling, U.S. citizens should review instructions from Israel’s Home Front Command and check the status of border crossings.
Huckabee added in the post that the U.S. Embassy is providing this information only as a courtesy and does not encourage or discourage the use of the shuttle.
He advised Americans in Israel to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if they have not already done so, adding that they should do so to receive updated information from the US Embassy and State Department.
Tel Aviv Airport remains closed
The US ambassador to Israel said it remains unclear when Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will reopen. He added that while they hope it will be soon, even after reopening, flights are expected to be extremely limited. Priority is likely to be given to passengers who have already had a ticket with El Al. It is doubtful that other airlines will resume service to and from Tel Aviv any time soon.
