Fact Check: "The U.S. State Department classified all of Israel and the West Bank as 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' on Monday, its highest advisory level."
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory categorizing Israel and the West Bank under the highest advisory level, "Level 4: Do Not Travel." This classification was prompted by ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest in the region. The advisory specifically warns against travel to these areas due to the volatile security situation, which includes potential terrorist attacks and violent incidents that can occur without warning (source-1, source-2).
The advisory states that U.S. government employees are restricted from personal travel to the West Bank and are advised against traveling to Israel due to the risks associated with armed conflict and civil unrest (source-3, source-4).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. State Department classified all of Israel and the West Bank as "Level 4: Do Not Travel" is accurate and supported by multiple credible sources. The official travel advisory from the U.S. State Department explicitly states that both regions are under this highest level of travel warning due to significant security concerns (source-5, source-6).
Moreover, a report by CBS News corroborates this classification, highlighting that the State Department raised its travel advisory for Israel to "do not travel" due to escalating violence and security risks (source-7).
The sources used are official government advisories and reputable news outlets, which adds to their reliability. The U.S. State Department's advisories are based on comprehensive assessments of security conditions and are regularly updated to reflect the current situation.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the U.S. State Department classified all of Israel and the West Bank as "Level 4: Do Not Travel" is confirmed by official travel advisories and news reports. The advisory reflects the serious security risks present in these regions, justifying the highest level of travel warning.
Sources
- Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory
- Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Travel Advisory (June 16, 2025)
- Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza International ...
- Travel Advisories
- Alerts and Messages
- Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
- State Department elevates travel advisory for Israel to "do not travel"