Thursday morning, American diplomats were allowed to drive in West Bank areas after the US State Department changed its warning, but the officials were warned of violent settlers.
The diplomats were also allowed to drive on to the Allenby Bridge, on the border with Jordan.
The US and since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 issued warnings to the Americans from visiting the Palestinian territories, on April 7, 2005, the US State department eased travel restrictions.
The US State Department said that “violent settlers†are still considered a threat during the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, therefore American were asked to “carefully weigh†the necessity of traveling to the area.ÂÂ
Also, the State Department asked the Americans not to conduct what was described as “any unnecessary visits to the West Bank and the Gaza Stripâ€Â.ÂÂ
Meanwhile, American officials are now allowed to conduct official visits to the West Bank; diplomats and professionals can now travel in the West Bank, which is part of the framework of increasing American presence in the area, in order to “assist the P.A to improve its conducts and capabilitiesâ€Â.
The recommendations of the US State Department mentioned that the Israeli security is investigating 40-60 terror attacks planned by settlers during the scheduled disengagement.
The department also said that it has obtained information of what was described as “possible attacks on American targets, namely the US embassy in Tel Aviv, and its consulate in Jerusalemâ€Â.
Americans were also urged not to attend public transportation in Jerusalem, and not to visit the Western Wall during night time on Friday’s between 11 am and 2 pm, which is the of Muslim prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to the US security arrangements and measures, US official personnel in the area are allowed to visit the West Bank with their families along the main roads which lead to the Allenby Bridge and the Dead Sea.
