Resources for American Citizens in Israel From the U.S. State Department
The situation in Israel remains dynamic; mortar and rocket fire may take place without warning. Individuals should follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials.
All U.S. citizens in Israel are urged to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Click here for STEP sign up.
U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel:
The State Department will post additional updates to travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza as they are issued. Click here for those updates.
The State Department advises that while Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, they are aware that several major airlines have announced that they have suspended flights. Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status.
Residents of the Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey can also call Congressman Smith's Constituent Service Office at 732-504-0567 for information.
Congressman Chris Smith’s Statement on the Hamas Attack on Israel
Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, said:
“I stand in absolute solidarity with Israel—with the family and friends of innocent people mercilessly slaughtered and with the entire nation under threat. And I call on President Biden to unequivocally condemn not only Hamas but its sponsor Iran—with actions as well as words.
This means the President needs to make major changes in personnel and policy. Just last month the Administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds, and just last week we learned that the Administration is staffed by agents of an Iranian spy ring. Iran is praising Hamas’s monstrous crime.
Last week I asked Secretary Blinken to revoke State Department grants to an organization in Gaza that openly supports terror—I have not received any answer.”(Oct. 7 2023)
Related News:
Rep. Smith is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill, H.Res. 1449, "Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism" (Sept. 16, 2024).
Rep. Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 8437 on May 22, 2024. The bill is entitled “To provide for congressional oversight of proposed changes to arms sales to Israel."
On May 14, 2024, Rep. Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 8369, the “Israel Security Assistance Support Act,” one of 117 original cosponsors. Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 224–187 on May 16.
Rep. Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 8011 on May 14, 2024, “To designate certain organizations as foreign terrorist organizations.”
Rep. Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 8232 on May 2, 2024, To authorize the Secretary of State to withdraw from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Federal funds previously made available to such organization."
Congressman Smith meets with Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan - Rep. Chris Smith, Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, met with Gilad Erdan—the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations—to discuss the rampant antisemitism at the United Nations and the need for continued U.S. support for Israel. (Jan. 17, 2024)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 6349. "Preventing Adversaries from Developing Critical Capabilities Act" to prohibit or require notification with respect to certain activities of United States persons involving countries of concern such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia (Dec. 9, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.Res.887, "Calling on the people of the United States to observe a weekend of prayer and reflection for the people of Israel, for all civilians caught in the crossfires of the war, and for the safe return of the hostages" (Nov. 21, 2023).
Congressman Smith becomes a cosponsor along with 99 other members of H.Res. 798 - "Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Members agreed to the resolution as amended by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 23 (Roll no. 578). (Nov. 2, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor to H.Res. 839 - "Condemning antisemitism at institutions of higher education in the United States and encouraging college and university leaders, administrators, and faculty to speak out against antisemitism. (Nov. 2, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 6126 , with 109 other members - "Making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the attacks in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024." (Nov. 1, 2023)
Congressman Smith cosponsored H.Res. 803 "Honoring the American and Israeli civilians murdered and unaccounted for in the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists." (Oct. 25, 2023.)
Congressman Smith became an original cosponsor of H.R. 5961, "To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran. (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 5921 "To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing certain transactions by a United States financial institution in connection with Iran, to prevent the International Monetary Fund from providing financial assistance to Iran, to codify prohibitions on Export-Import Bank financing for the Government of Iran." (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor H.Res. 771 , "Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists." (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor to H.Res. 775 "Condemning the New York City-Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) antisemitic and anti-Israel rally on October 8, 2023." (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor H.Res. 776 - "Urging the Biden administration to rescind the release of $6,000,000,000 in frozen Iranian funds and to lawfully enforce the Taylor Force Act." (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.Res. 777 - "Urging the Biden administration to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza. (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an cosponsor to H.R. 5959 - "To make ineligible for visas, admission, or parole aliens that are holders of passports issued by the Palestinian Authority." (Oct. 25, 2023)
Congressman Smith becomes an original cosponsor of H.R. 6114 - "To impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran and modify other existing sanctions with respect to Iran." (Oct. 30, 2023)
FORBES NEWS CLIP- Congressman Smith speaks out at November hearing.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) delivers opening remarks while chairing a congressional hearing exposing the rampant antisemitism and anti-Israel bias at the United Nations and international organizations around the world. Leading human rights defenders and experts today sounded the alarm over the rampant antisemitism and anti-Israel bias that pervades the United Nations and international organizations across the globe at Smith's June 22, 2023 hearing.
Congressman Smith addresses his colleagues on the floor of the House of
Representatives on Oct. 25, 2023.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, meets with Gilad Erdan—the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, on Jan. 17, 2024.
