BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – In view of growing tensions between the USA and Iran, the federal government “strongly” advises against traveling to Israel. The Foreign Office (AA) adjusted its travel and safety instructions for the country in the evening. “We strongly advise against traveling to Israel and East Jerusalem,” it says on the AA’s homepage. Israel remains “formally in a state of war.”
The background is the conflict between the USA and Iran. If the US attacks Iran, Tehran is expected to attack targets in Israel.
“The security situation in the region is tense and increasingly volatile,” the AA’s homepage continues. “In the event of an escalation, security-relevant incidents could also occur in Israel and the Palestinian territories without warning.” In addition, restrictions on air traffic must be expected at any time: flights could be canceled and longer-term closures of the airspace are also possible.
The USA has recently increased its military presence in the region
In view of a possible US attack on Iran with consequences for Israel and other countries in the region, the Foreign Office called on local German citizens to take security measures just a few days ago. The German Embassy in Tel Aviv announced that Germans in Israel should prepare themselves to be able to stay where they are for some time in the event that the airspace is closed due to Iranian attacks.
The USA and Iran are currently negotiating the controversial Iranian nuclear program. US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a military attack if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program fail.
In the event of a US attack in Iran, Tehran is expected to attack Israel with missiles. Trump had given the Iranian government an ultimatum until the beginning of March for an agreement. Washington had recently significantly increased its military presence in the region./sl/DP/he